| Medical bills are one of the main reasons | | | | receiving medical billing errors. |
| Americans file for bankruptcy. Many Americans | | | | A unique way to pay back medical bills is to |
| opt out of buying health insurance due to the high | | | | barter services. An increase in bartering for health |
| premiums and co-payments. This can have a | | | | care services has dramatically increased since the |
| ripple effect on individuals and families. Americans | | | | beginning of the recession. One company, ITEX |
| who do not have insurance are generally not in | | | | Corp. has 24,000 members and promote |
| good health, don't have a retirement account or | | | | approximately $1 million a month in health care |
| disability insurance and can never afford to take | | | | bartering. Patients can exchange medical good and |
| off work to go for a doctor's visit. The U.S. | | | | services for barter dollars but is usually limited to |
| spends the most on healthcare than any other | | | | specific medical industries like dental or smaller |
| country yet Americans are the most unhealthy | | | | doctor practices. These dollars can be used to |
| people in the world. Forty-six million Americans are | | | | pay for health care costs by a provider who |
| uninsured and this number continues to grow as | | | | belongs to the network. There are approximately |
| the unemployment rate continues to soar. | | | | 400 exchanges in the United States. The site |
| Many Americans struggle for years trying to pay | | | | provides listing by state. The networks charge |
| off high cost medical debt due to lack of health | | | | membership and transaction fees. |
| insurance or inadequate health coverage. When a | | | | Here are 3 ways to ensure you are using a valid |
| patient has health coverage there is a set limit | | | | medical service provider when bartering for |
| that hospitals, doctors and other medical | | | | medical services. |
| professionals can charge for services. Without | | | | 1. Do research. Verify the medical provider is |
| medical insurance, a patient can be charged a | | | | licensed. |
| higher amount for services and in some cases are | | | | 2. Verify the agreement. Verify the agreement |
| charged multiple times for the same services. | | | | you establish with the medical provider in writing |
| If you do not have medical insurance always ask | | | | and make sure you understand the terms of the |
| for an itemized list of the services you received | | | | agreement. |
| and make sure there are no duplicates. When you | | | | 3. Give back. Refer your medical provider to |
| have medical coverage many errors made in | | | | others on the network or by word of mouth to |
| medical bills are caught by your medical insurance | | | | friends, relatives and co-workers, this can help |
| provider and corrected before any remaining | | | | you negotiate future services needed by the |
| costs are submitted to the patient. Having health | | | | same medical provider. |
| insurance also reduces the chances of patients | | | | |