How to negotiate benefits with an insurance provider

Bet you didn't know that negotiating your health insurance benefits was even possible? Well, with increasing health insurance costs employees are becoming more aware that negotiation is possible and can make a huge difference in what you for your health insurance. Here are some tips on how to negotiate benefits with an insurance provider and some suggestions on how to cut your medical expenses.

Tip #1: Speak with the company representative
Don't beat around the bush when it comes to health insurance. Talking straight with the company's health benefits representative can help you more effectively negotiate a better insurance policy. Don't make the mistake of going with your human resource professional. They don't have any say in what or how much you pay for your health insurance. The insurance health representative acts a middleman for employees and the health care provider and can help better meet your needs as an individual.

Tip #2: Use Cash
Some health insurance providers will cut a percentage off the bill if you're willing to pay for the appointment or procedure in cash up front.

Tip #3: Health Savings Accounts
In the negotiation process you can try and encourage the use of health savings accounts or HSAs as a supplement to the health insurance policy. Health savings accounts can be attached to insurance policies as a means of saving money for future medical costs. It costs nothing to maintain these accounts but allows employees to conserve money.

Tip #4: Ask for more providers
In trying to negotiate benefits with your health insurance provider ask for a large repertoire of health care providers. There are certain considerations to keep in mind as health insurance providers' limit their providers. If they're going to ask you to pay more money you should be able to negotiate having more health care providers in the area to at least make it worth your money.

Cutting Medical Expenses
In your attempt to negotiate benefits with your health insurance provider here are some ways to help you cut medical expenses in the mean time:


• Wellness Programs. Make sure that you're taking preventative measures to stay health and fit so that you don't have to make frequent visits to the doctor or take unnecessary medications.


•  Go generic. If you do have to get prescriptions filled for one reason or another go with the generic brand. They are exactly the same as the name brand but cost half and almost more than half the price.


•  Check your medical bills. Although it would be nice if hospitals and doctor's offices were never wrong, they are human and mistake can be made. Take more than two seconds to look at medical bills, what the charges are and why you're paying them. Make sure the bill is accurate and don't be afraid to call about it if it isn't right.

So here you have some ideas on how to negotiate benefits with an insurance provider and what you can do in the mean time while you're waiting for their response. Simple mistakes on medical bills and using generic prescriptions can really help cut you're your medical costs as well as using flex spending accounts or cafeteria plans. Medical claims can get out of control and will continue to rise unless employees and individuals take action themselves.

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Categories: Health Industry, Health Insurance,

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