Dr Jenaya Calderilla is a licensed physician that has worked in hospital medicine, outpatient medicine, hospice, and post-acute rehabilitation.
She is currently a practicing wound care specialist.
Not having medical insurance is frightening to many in the United States, so last month, the licensed physician released a three-part video giving useful tips on how to reduce medical bill charges and has continued to offer medical information to her followers.
In her Tiktok, which has over 4.5 million views, Dr Calderilla’s first tip was to ask for an itemized bill because is often cheaper than the original charge.
The breakdown of charges should allow you to review the list of the treatments you received and will enable you to determine the cost of each medication.
Dr Calderilla also recommended calling the hospital to discuss the payment plan, although she mentioned that sometimes it might not be too helpful.
Fortunately, the doctor also had advice if you are having difficulty sorting out a payment plan. They recommended using FairHealthConsumer.org. By using a CPT code that’s on a medical bill, people can find what the ‘reasonable’ and ‘customary’ price for their treatment should be through the site.
The doctor recommended using FairHealthConsumer.org if you are having difficulty working on the payment plan. Through the site, using a CPT code that can be found on your medical bill, you can find what’s the “reasonable” and “customary” price for the treatment.
The video also suggested calling politely to the issuers of the bill giving them the “reasonable” and “customary” price listed which would allow people to get a lower medical bill.
This information from Dr. Calderilla has been valuable to people, thanking her for the information. Others noted that the healthcare system in the US should be restructured because of the huge bills the people are receiving.
While seeking national reform is unlikely, a lot of people will take note of these tips with them if they are uninsured and unwell.
Dr Calderilla has noted that the cost barrier is the one that stops people from getting the treatment they need. She added that she is hoping that her tips can help a lot of people in need and so far, it seems that her videos are doing just that.