The Sovereign Health Podcast

#22: I Just Got Sent to Collections

In this episode, Andy starts a new series called "What to do When…" which he will expand on for the next 6-8 episodes! Today Andy discusses what to do when you get something in the mail or a phone call from a collections agency. He shares how important it is to know that you have the upper hand when a bill is sent to collections so long as you understand that you do not need to feel afraid or intimidated when you hear from them. Tune in for tips to empower yourself when you are facing collections agencies!

#21: I Saved $5K and a Vacation with Virtual Urgent Care

Andy brings us another healthcare hack on today’s podcast: learning how to utilize virtual urgent care! When Andy’s daughter fell off a bed and hit her head hard, rather than rushing to the ER, they called a local urgent care and spoke with a daughter over the phone who helped them assess and care for their daughter’s injury over the phone, which saved them around $5000. He shares two other personal stories where he utilized virtual urgent care rather than in-person care and spending a lot more money than necessary. People don’t think of virtual urgent care being an option. By hearing this, I hope that folks start to consider using virtual care before in person care in the instance of a non-life threatening medical event. At the end of the podcast, Andy creates a medical event and contacts a virtual urgent care doctor in real time so we can get a glimpse of how simple utilizing these services are.

#20: Uninsured and Treated like a King!

Andy shares another healthcare hack: the benefit of paying healthcare bills in cash  Andy shares some recordings of interactions with healthcare workers who aren’t used to cash pay patients and how simple these interactions are with providers, unlike what we may think. There is so much power in knowing what your cash pay bills are going to be in the moment rather than waiting for a health insurance adjustment!

#19: How I Crushed My Medical Bill

Today Andy gets into negotiating one of the bills that he received when he was hospitalized for his migraine. This bill was for interpreting a CT scan and two MRI’s that totaled just over $3800 for services that took less than 30 minutes on service and how he got that significantly reduced. Andy shares multiple tips about not stressing if collections starts calling you and then how to significantly negotiate an exorbitant bill down. Tune in for more!

#18: Don't Sign this Form in the ER

Andy shares his personal experience from a few months ago when he had an unexpected severe migraine and shares his learnings as a patient when being treated in the ER. Andy wants us all to pay close attention to the Patient Financial Responsibility Form as Crowd Health members and how to make sure you’re not signing yourself away for astronomical financial burden. Andy shares a story of an astronomical bill he got before he knew that medical costs are negotiable. Andy shares a tip to negotiating the “at the point of care” fee that all ERs and urgent cares ask for as well. Learning how to become your own best advocate in the face of the medical system is the best way to make sure you’re not getting financially taken advantage of - tune in for more!