Why does my medical bill not match my EOB?
Asked by: Ashly Bruen | Last update: March 22, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (48 votes)
What happens if my EOB and bill don't match?
If the dates of service and description of services on your EOB and billing statement aren't the same, or if they don't match other records you may have of the visit, contact your doctor's office first.
Why is my EOB less than what I paid?
You may have already paid for part of the Patient Balance. The Explanation of Benefits only shows what you owe, not if you've already paid for it. Your bill should not be higher than the Patient Balance.
Can providers charge more than EOB?
If your provider is charging you more than your EOB shows, we encourage you to talk to your provider directly and ask that your bill be adjusted. If you've already paid more than your EOB says that you owe, you will need to request a refund from your provider or facility directly.
What to do if medical bill is incorrect?
Contact your insurance company to verify the information they have on file and then contact the hospital billing department with your concern. A written request will likely be needed for any changes but you should be able to explain the situation and find out what they need from you.
Health Insurance EOB Explained
Can you sue for incorrect medical billing?
Yes, you can sue a hospital for false billing. First, there are a series of internal challenges and appeals that you can undergo with the hospital. If there is an insurance company involved, they can be included in appeals as well.
How common are medical billing errors?
Almost half of insured Americans report receiving unexpected medical bills, leading to financial strain and contributing to worsening health outcomes for many patients, The Commonwealth Fund report reveals.
Can an Explanation of Benefits be wrong?
EOBs tend to be quite accurate, but there can sometimes be errors. They can result from a mistake made by the medical billing office or by the health plan. So before paying any medical bills, it's important to carefully review EOBs to make sure that all of the numbers match up with what you expect.
Can you dispute an EOB?
If you can't reach a resolution with your insurer, you also have the right to file an insurance appeal. Instructions for filing an appeal are included on each EOB form.
Have an EOB but no bill?
If you have insurance
An EOB is not a bill. An EOB is a summary of the care that you received and shows the amount your insurer is billed, how much your insurance will pay for that care, and the amount that you will owe.
Why do doctors bill more than insurance will pay?
It is entirely due to the rates negotiated and contracted by your specific insurance company. The provider MUST bill for the highest contracted dollar ($) amount to receive full reimbursement.
How long should you keep EOB from insurance?
Comparing your EOBs to your monthly statements is a good way to understand what you are being charged for, and it gives you another opportunity to look for overcharges. Unlike medical bills, EOBs should be kept from three to eight years after your procedure, or indefinitely if you have a reoccurring condition.
What is an adjustment on EOB?
the difference or discount between what the facility or provider charged and what your insurance paid. (This may also be referred to as an “Adjustment”, “Contracted Agreement”, or “Allowed Amount.”)
How do I know if my medical bill is correct?
Ask your provider for a copy of your medical records. Compare them to your bill. You shouldn't get a bill for anything that isn't documented in your records. If you've been billed for something that's not documented in your records, talk to your provider's billing department.
Why am I being charged more than my copay?
Non-Covered Services: Some medical services or prescription medications may not be covered by your insurance plan. If this is the case, you will be responsible for the full cost of the service or medication, which may exceed your copayment.
Can medical bills be wrong?
Medical bills can contain all kinds of errors for a variety of reasons. The actual medical provider could code a service incorrectly, the billing department could have a mixup, or even the health insurance company could get something wrong.
Which health insurance company denies the most claims?
According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.
How to negotiate a hospital bill?
- Request an itemized bill. Like a receipt, an itemized bill breaks down all the charges, including the cost of each procedure, medication, and service. ...
- Double-check your medical codes. ...
- Compare prices. ...
- Offer to pay upfront. ...
- Try a payment plan. ...
- Negotiate based on comparable rates.
How do you win a billing dispute?
To win a chargeback dispute, you need to provide evidence to the bank that the product was delivered and any other relevant details of the transaction. Customer messages, delivery confirmations, and purchase history can be used as evidence to support a potential claim.
What happens if EOB and Bill don't match?
If you have a doctor's bill that cannot match one or more EOBs, it is likely that your insurance has not been applied to that bill. This can happen for a number of reasons. A common issue is that the doctor filed the claim to an outdated insurance policy or the name or birthdate did not match our records.
Are EOBs accurate?
If your Explanation of Benefits and bill from your doctor's office don't match, there could be a few things going on: A prior balance could have been carried over for unpaid medical expenses at your doctor's office or your bill might include charges for more than one date of service.
What is making false claims for the benefits?
Benefit fraud is committed when a person deliberately claims benefits they are not entitled to. They might do this by providing false information or by not reporting a change in circumstance.
What is the most common rejection in medical billing?
- Rejection reason: duplicate claims. ...
- Rejection and denials reason: eligibility. ...
- Rejection reason: payer ID missing or invalid. ...
- Rejection reason: billing provider National Provider Identifier (NPI) missing or invalid. ...
- Rejection reason: diagnosis code.
What is inaccurate billing?
False billing is a fraudulent act of invoicing or otherwise requesting funds from an individual or firm without showing obligation to pay. Such notices are, for example, often sent to owners of domain names, purporting to be legitimate renewal notices, although not originating from the owner's own registrar.
How can you tell if a billing statement is incorrect?
The only way to find mistakes is to review your charges and fees carefully. Compare your starting balance with the previous month's bill. Also look for anything unfamiliar, including “add-on,” or optional, fee-based products. The customer service phone number appears on your monthly bill or on the back of your card.