It can be hard for a family to keep track of the bills, letters, claim forms, and other papers that start flowing into your home after a child is diagnosed with cancer. But keeping careful records of medical bills, insurance claims, and payments helps families better manage their stress levels and their money. Some families already have a system for tracking their finances and records and only need to expand it and create new files. Others may have to come up with a plan to handle all of the paperwork.
Record-keeping is also important for those who wish to take advantage of the deductions available in filing itemized tax returns. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can give you information and free publications regarding tax exemptions for cancer treatment expenses (see “To learn more”). These rules change from time to time, so the IRS is the best source of current information.
Records to keep
- Medical bills from all health care providers – write the date you got the bill on each one
- Claims filed, including the date of service, the doctor, and date it was filed
- Reimbursements (payments from insurance companies) received and explanations of benefits (EOBs)
- Dates, names, and outcomes of calls, letters, or emails to insurers and others
- Medical costs and other costs related to treatment that your insurance hasn’t paid or doesn’t pay
- Costs for meals and lodging
- Travel to and from doctor’s appointments and treatments (including gas, mileage, and parking)
- Long-distance phone calls related to medical or other types of care, including psychosocial care
- Admissions, clinic visits, lab work, diagnostic tests, procedures, treatments
- Drugs given and prescriptions filled
Some tips for record-keeping
- Decide who will be the family record-keeper or how the task will be shared.
- Get the help of a relative or friend, if needed. This may be especially important for single parents.
- Set up a file system using a file cabinet, drawer, box, binders, or loose-leaf notebooks.
- Review bills soon after getting them and note any questions about charges.
- Check all bills and explanations of benefits paid to be sure they are correct.
- Pay bills by check if possible so that you will have a record of payment.
- Save and file all bills, payment receipts, and canceled checks or the copies of canceled checks that come with your statement. (If you do not get copies of canceled checks, talk to your bank or credit union about how to get legal copies when you need them.)
- Keep a daily log of events and expenses; a calendar with space for writing is useful.
- Keep a list of cancer care team members and all other contacts with their phone and fax numbers and e-mail addresses.
- Find out what is tax deductible and be sure the originals of those records are kept. (See the “To learn more” section to contact the IRS.)
When you have problems paying a medical bill
Many families go through times when they find it hard to pay their bills on time. Most hospitals and agencies are willing to discuss and help resolve these problems. To help keep a good credit rating, pay attention to notices that say the bill will soon be turned over to a collection agency. You want to avoid this if at all possible. Families can:
- Explain the problem to the hospital or clinic financial counselor or the doctor’s office secretary.
- Work out a payment delay or an extended payment plan.
- Talk with the team social worker about sources of short-term help.
- Think about asking relatives or friends to help out with money on a short-term basis.
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