It is easy to file bills away without paying any attention to all those pages of charges. However, taking just a few minutes to check on what is in your bills can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Here are five common billing mistakes that you should scan your bills for each month:
Hospital Billing Errors If you have had a recent hospital stay, make sure and check your bill carefully to see that you have not been overcharged. Patients often find that they have been charged for extra days at the hospital, for pills or treatments they never received, or for doctors that never actually treated them. Call your hospital’s billing department if you find any discrepancies.
Medical Insurance Bill Errors Insurance companies sometimes get misinformation from doctors or hospitals, or they sometimes may try not to pay for something that should fall under your policy. Make sure that your insurance pays for everything that it should. Know your policy well and keep track of how much deductible you have used.
Phone Bill Errors If you have a landline or a cell phone it can be easy for the phone company to make a mistake. Many phone companies are nationally run and use large software contractors to manage their billing. All it takes is one wrong keystroke to overbill a phone customer. If you see a charge on your bill you think is incorrect, give your phone company’s billing department a call.
Cable Bill Errors Cable billing errors can be similar to telephone billing errors, and may even be the same company depending on what type of communications package you have. Make sure you check your cable bill to ensure you are not being charged for any pay-per-view purchases you did not make, or for a cable box that you no longer have in your home. Call your cable company if you find any discrepancies.
Credit/Debit Card Bill Errors Always check your credit/debit card statement at the end of every billing cycle to see if all of the charges match up. Since we swipe our cards on an almost daily basis, it is easy for a clerk to type in the wrong number on the keypad when charging your card. If you find anything that appears to be incorrect, call the merchant.
Credit and debit cards are also subject to fraud. If you see any charges that you did not make, call your credit card company or bank immediately and let them know. Your credit card company or bank can work with you to reverse any fraudulent charges (although sometimes you might get stuck with them) and help you prevent any further fraud.
For any bills you receive, keep an eye on the charges, and make sure to pay attention to the breakdowns on those back pages of the bill. You might find a mistake that can save you some serious cash!
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