Episode 58: Medical Bill Nightmares: A Patient Advocate's Blueprint for Taking Control

Are you struggling with overwhelming medical bills? You may have been told to simply ignore the bills and hope they go away, only to feel the increasing burden of debt and financial stress. The pain of feeling helpless and overwhelmed by medical expenses can be debilitating, but there is a way to take control and find relief. By understanding healthcare billing and advocating for yourself, you can empower yourself to manage your medical expenses and secure your financial stability.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The challenges of medical billing and what you need to look out for.
• Understanding healthcare billing is essential for financial well-being.
• Avoid common pitfalls in medical billing with insider knowledge.
• Navigate the healthcare system confidently and assertively.
• Learn how to seek financial assistance for medical bills effectively.

My special guest is Jenni Nolan

With over 20 years of experience in medical office management, physician and hospital coding, billing, and health information management, Jenni Nolan is a board-certified patient advocate. Her passion for ensuring correct billing and helping individuals understand their health insurance claims led her to establish Clear Health Care Advocacy in 2020. Jenni's mission is to empower overwhelmed consumers to navigate their medical billing issues with confidence. Her extensive background and dedication to helping people make sense of their health care services makes her a valuable resource in the complex world of healthcare billing.

I want people to know that patient advocates are out here. Whether you need help with billing or if you need clinical help walking through coordination of care, you've had a horrible diagnosis or something like that. There are patient advocates. - Jenni Nolan

Key moments in this episode are:

00:01:29 - Troubleshooting Medical Bills 

00:02:22 - Becoming a Patient Advocate 

00:07:33 - Understanding Healthcare Billing Basics 

00:13:28 - Managing Medical Debt 

00:14:20 - Healthcare Affordability Crisis 

00:15:26 - Price Transparency and Shopping Around 

00:17:33 - Negotiating Medical Bills 

00:24:40 - Clear Healthcare Advocacy 

00:28:35 - Empowering Patients to Seek Financial Assistance 

00:29:42 - Lack of Offering Financial Assistance 

00:30:31 - Accessing Resources and Assistance 

00:31:10 - Knowledge is Power 

00:32:45 - Empowering Change in Healthcare 

Resources:

Download Jenni's "Free Guide to Understanding Your Medical Bills" from my website:

https://clearhealthcareadvocacy.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/clearhealthcare

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/clearhealthcareadvocacy

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenninolan/