How I Saved My Husband 's Life And Bank Account

My husband had sudden cardiac arrest a few months ago and luckily I performed CPR on him that inevitably saved his life. Fortunately, I have written many books about saving money in healthcare and this was no different. Many people get "lost in the emotion" while the bills pile up. I put my rules to practice once again, and proved that you can save, even in an emergency situation of a loved one.
Make sure you have a Power of Attorney: This is the designation of someone to act as the sole decision maker in your absence. In my husband's case, he was unable to make any decisions while he was unconscious for three days and could not deal with the stress of bills during his recovery. By having a Power of Attorney, I was able to make medical decisions on behalf of my husband as well as get copies of our bills to review and question all mistakes in a timely matter...and there were plenty of mistakes! This is not automatic when you are married!!!! Be sure to keep a copy at your local hospitals, with your insurance company, as well as at your home and office. You may also opt to file an Advanced Directive which contains both a Power of Attorney for health care and a Living Will. You can get these form free online and have them notarized at you bank. Some health insurance companies have their own forms that you can simply sign and fax in.
Does the provider have the correct health insurance information: Have your card and a copy of your spouses card on you at all times. One slight mistake, even if it seems obvious, is cause for your insurance company to reject your claim. During our emergency, one of the providers switched my husband's first name with his middle name. This caused some major reimbursement problems for us until I discovered that on some of the medical records being submitted to the insurance company, my husband's middle name was being treated as his first. At another point, someone submitted his "membership number" incorrectly. By having a copy of the card I was able to point out the errors before the billing got out of control and provide the medical facilities with a copy for their records. It may seem obvious, but mistakes happen, especially in a rushed situation.
Ask for an itemized bill BEFORE you leave the hospital: You may not get it immediately, but you should get this before you get your bill summary when you will be on a deadline to pay. At that time you, can double check for mistakes on your bill. I found many mistakes including double charges that are not necessarily obvious on the billing summary.
Keep you own records: It is extremely difficult to keep track of anything when you are an emotional wreck, but this is where an itemized bill may jog your memory on procedures that were done, medications that were administered or were not. The first night we were in the hospital, a friend of mine brought me a journal to jot down my feelings as a form of "therapy" when I was alone during those hours of silence and could not sleep. I actually used this journal to write down questions I had for the nurses and cardiologists on my husband's condition as well as keep track of dates and people that came to visit my husband. This came in very useful when we received our bill a few weeks later only to find we were charged for items and procedures never performed as well as a whole day before we actually checked into the hospital. (The bill stated procedures were performed on the 9th when he did not have the arrest until the 10th)
Make friends with the right people: Many hospitals have patient advocates which are people you can turn to for most of your billing questions. Since most hospitals outsource lab work as well as different physician groups, it is very helpful to get to know this person. In our case, we were dealing with many billing agencies which became overwhelming. One of the patient advocates not only helped me locate the correct contacts at the billing departments, but assisted me in getting the correct insurance information to those billing departments that were submitting it incorrectly. In my husband's case, he was brought to the Emergency Room of one hospital and transferred to one with a "more equip" cardiac care unit. The patient advocate from one hospital supplied me with the contact information for his equivalent at the other hospital.
Ask questions and ask for the supervisor: Three hours in the emergency room cost us over $11,000, and it looked as though the claim was submitted. When I called the billing department initially, I was told that my insurance did not cover that particular emergency room. Thinking I was going crazy, I double checked with my health insurance and they informed me that that particular emergency room may not have been covered, which was possible, but I chose my health insurance of the emergency rooms in my area being covered. At that point, I politely asked for the supervisor and she gave me the correct codes that the hospital should have submitted as well as explained that the hospital may have been delayed in their submission. Still unsatisfied, I called the manager of the billing department only to find the codes were incorrectly filed and they would resubmit the bill immediately. Again, I documented everything and have not had a problem since. Always ask for the person in charge if you are not satisfied with the answer. I found out the person I was dealing with at first was new to the job, thus I was given misinformation.
Ask for financial assistance: Even if your insurance covers most of your bill, a high deductible can be detrimental to your bank account. Don't be afraid to ask for financial assistance. Write a letter immediately describing your financial need and ask your patient advocate who to submit it to. Some hospitals offer discount for paying bills in a timely matter, others may write it off. My husband has done so much volunteer work at one hospital that they wrote off their bill, the other offered a 20% discount for his volunteer work over the past 13 years and an additional 10% discount for paying the balance in full within 30 days!
Ask for everything in writing: Avoid any miscommunication by getting everything in writing. The hospital that wrote off the balance of my husband's bill sent a balance a few weeks later. Luckily, I had the name of the person I spoke with, her contact information and a 0 balance on the itemized bill she sent me previously. When I contacted her about the bill, she said it was an accident and she would forward the 0 balance document she had sent me previously to the billing department and a copy to me.
My husband is currently alive with a second lease on life. The CPR I happened to performed was with compressions only, no breaths. Ironically, I was too busy screaming for help for over a documented 16 minutes and cracked three ribs in four places. This inevitably saved his life. Today, we are able to enjoy life without the stress of his medical bills.
http://www.healthcareforless.us, http://www.michellekatzmsn.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Katz

Five Bankruptcy Myths You Should Not Believe

If you are considering bankruptcy, but have serious misgivings that are preventing you from making a decision to proceed, prepare to be enlightened. Here is a list of the top five big bankruptcy myths.

Myth #1 - Everyone will know I've filed for bankruptcy.

Don't be offended, but almost nobody will know (or care) that you have filed for bankruptcy. Unless you're a big shot in your town or someone the media likes to highlight from time to time, it is very unlikely that anyone other than your creditors and perhaps a few close friends and family members will know you have filed.

Yes it is true that bankruptcy is a public legal proceeding, but the fact is there is no single place that you can find an up-to-date list of people who have recently filed for bankruptcy. The number of people filing for bankruptcy is so high that very few publications have the manpower or motivation to assemble and update this information.

Myth #2 - When you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy all your debts are wiped out.

This is simply not true. Certain types of debts such as child support, alimony, government-issued or government-guaranteed student loans, and debts incurred as the result of fraud will not be forgiven. Also most judges will not discharge legal judgement amounts you've been assessed as the result of someone suing you.

Myth #3 - Everything I own will be taken away from me.

This is a major misconception that frightens many people from filing bankruptcy. They assume they will be thrown out on the street with no house, no car and no money in the bank. But this is not the case. If it was, almost nobody would file for bankruptcy.

Actual bankruptcy laws vary from state to state, but every state has exemptions that protect certain kinds of assets. These include your house, your car (up to a certain value), household goods and clothing and money in qualified retirement plans. In many cases a person will pass right through bankruptcy and essentially keep everything they have. That includes their mortgage and car loans as long as they keep on making the regular payments.

Myth #4 - I'll never get credit again.

Believe it or not, it won't be long before those eager beaver credit card companies will be sending you offers again. In fact there are companies that target high risk borrowers and people who've had credit problems. They charge exorbitant interest rates but that is the price you pay for needing credit in such circumstances.

For this very reason most people are advised not to start running up bills again, and should most certainly stay away from acquiring a number of high interest rate credit cards. While it is true that most people who need a car loan will be able to find someone prepared to give them one, the rate will be very high. That is why it is best if you are thinking of buying a house or car to get these set up before you file and while your credit score still looks presentable.

After bankruptcy, those loans will be tough to get and the higher interest rate will have a significant effect on your payments. Also, if you have a credit card with a zero balance on the day you file for bankruptcy, you don't have to list it as a creditor since you don't owe any money on it. That means you might be able to keep that card even after the bankruptcy.

Myth #5 - When you're married, both spouses have to file for bankruptcy.

Not necessarily. It depends whether one or both spouses are liable for the debt. Usually if both spouses are liable the creditor will try to get payment out of either or both. And if one spouse files, the other one is still vulnerable to being required to pay the whole amount.

On the other hand if a significant amount of debt is in the name of one spouse only, the other spouse is not liable for that debt and is probably not advised to file for bankruptcy. This would typically be the case when one spouse has suffered losses from a business which the other spouse has no involvement in.

Contact the bankruptcy lawyers at LegalHelpers.com. LegalHelpers has helped thousands of people and they can help you too. Article source: The Link Builder Network.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Hendershot

Instant Online Bankruptcy Loan Company

Borrowers who have accumulated too many debts find it difficult to payback the debts. Over a period of time, due to their inability to pay the debts, they invite credit problems. When the problem gets out of hand, some of them consider opting for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy should always be considered as the last option. If one can make use of other alternative means, then he or she should consider them. Instant online bankruptcy loan company can help borrowers know more about bankruptcy. This kind of company functions specifically with the purpose of providing advice on bankruptcy.

Once, a borrower declares himself bankrupt, he loses his creditworthiness. This term means, legally declaring oneself incapable of making any further payments. The creditors will stop troubling the borrower anymore for making payments. Approaching this kind of company can help a borrower overcome credit problems and make a fresh beginning. It offers the borrower a unique chance to rebuild the credit score.

Most of the people hesitate from filing for bankruptcy due to the social stigma attached to it. People have the misconception that filing for bankruptcy is in many times to be the end of their world. However, the truth is that filing for a bankruptcy loan helps a borrower re-establish financial life. A bankruptcy loan can offer a unique opportunity to do things that he would have not been allowed to do otherwise. One can own a house, buy an automobile or start a new business altogether. All this with bankruptcy!

One can even avail instant bankruptcy loan. This will help one get a loan despite the bankruptcy status. These loans are meant for those who have filed for bankruptcy. Most of the loans cater to those who have declared themselves bankrupt and only after their cases have been discharged and their creditor have been paid. These loans offer an unique opportunity to fulfill their various needs.

These loans act as a quick fix for debt problems. One can easily avail the amount of his or her choice. It is very easy to fulfill any of the personal needs through these loans. A borrower need not feel tied down for want of money anymore. One can use the loan amount for any of the personal needs like buying a car; plan a vacation, payback debts etc.

Have you been declared bankrupt and wish to buy a car of your own? If yes, you can make use of bankruptcy car loan. This kind of loan allows you to avail a loan despite being bankrupt! A borrower can buy his choicest car through this loan. One can even get a favourable deal on the loan by looking online.

For more information:

Instant bankruptcy loan

Bankruptcy car loan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Uday_Yadav

Bankruptcy Vs Debt Consolidation - How to Choose the Right One

Debt is like a trap - it can be incredibly challenging to get out of it. When you turn into a victim of a towering debt, you continue to take out new loans in order to repay the previous ones. It's frequently extremely tricky to keep on top of numerous loans and this might advance to bankruptcy. If you believe that you won't be capable to pay back your loans, then you can declare bankruptcy. When you are confirmed bankrupt, you'll be liberated from all your debt commitments. On the other hand, bankruptcy stays on your credit score for 7 to 10 years. For that reason, you have to make an effort to repay your debts instead of declaring bankruptcy.

One approach to escape bankruptcy is to obtain a debt consolidation loan. Debt consolidation assists you to get a hold of your debt. It merges all your high interest debts into one low interest loan. A smaller interest rate can let you pay lesser monthly payments. Debt consolidation loans come in what is called secured and unsecured. You have to attempt to get a secured consolidation loan seeing as it carries a low interest rate. An unsecured consolidation loan has a higher interest rate, therefore it defeats the function of consolidating higher interest debts into a lower interest debt consolidation loan.

There are a number of kinds of debt consolidation loans. A home equity debt consolidation loan is when you put up collateral against your house. It's a style of secured loan and suggests all the advantages of a secured loan such as a lower interest rate, variable repayment conditions, lesser monthly payments, and so on. If you default in the reimbursement of a home equity consolidation loan, the building against which the loan was given could be repossessed by the lender. An additional sort of consolidation loan is called a personal debt consolidation loan. Exactly akin to any other personal loan, a personal debt consolidation loan may be secured or unsecured. An alternative manner to consolidate your debt is to reassign your outstanding credit card total to a different credit card that is offering a low rate of interest (balance transfer). Locate a credit card company that doesn't require you to shell out transfer fees.

If you are comparing bankruptcy vs debt consolidation, then make sure to visit http://debtconsolidationevents.com a popular debt relief site that provides credit repair tips, debt counselling advice and free debt consolidation advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Boddy