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If insured, do you have to pay medical bills in advance?

Oct 23, 2012 @ 14:20

Hi all,

I have a question regarding medical bills in Geneva. I'm covered by Swisscare with a franchise of 500 CHF. Some weeks ago I went to the see a doctor and after that I went to the hospital, where they did several tests.

Yesterday I received the bill from the first doctor. And this is where my confusion begins:

- Since I haven't used any of the 500 CHF of my franchise yet, do I have to pay this bill myself and inform Swisscare? Do I have to pay without informing? Do I have to send them the bill without paying it myself? How does this work please, I'm very confused.

- Second, I'm panicking about the bill that I will receive from the hospital, as this one will include some expensive tests... Do you guys think I'll have to pay this one in advance and claim a reimbursement? Or will Swisscare take care of it without me having to give any money in advance? Honestly, if I have to give the money in advance I'm in trouble because I can't afford it...

Thanks very much for your insight on all this billing issue.

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Hi all,

Yesterday I received the bill from the first doctor. And this is where my confusion begins:

Thanks very much for your insight on all this billing issue.

Amparo Garcia-LopezOct 23, 2012 @ 14:20

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Re: If insured, do you have to pay medical bills in advance?

Post 1

Oct 23, 2012 @ 14:31

Hi,

You have to pay your bill within 30 days. At the end of the year you will send to your insurance all "justificatifs" (normally it is a 2nd page sent to you with a bill with the description of sevices) and if it is more then 500fr Swisscare will compensate you the 80% of difference.

Meryame

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Hi,

Meryame

Meryame M, Oct 23, 2012 @ 14:31

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Post 2

Oct 23, 2012 @ 14:41

With Swisscare, I know because we use them, you pay your bills in advance and then get reimbursed.

To get reimbursed, you must send Swisscare the original doctor bills and pharmaceutical receipts- proof that you paid- (make copies for your records) along with the completed 'claims form' you can download from their website.

They will begin to deduced your bills from your franchise. Once your bills start to surpass the $500 yearly franchise, they will deposit the remainder in your account.

For serious emergency medical treatment I believe (I have never used it) you are asked to notify them immediately, even before you have, for example, surgery and I believe they can make payment arrangements with the hospital. But I'm not sure on that.

I never wait until the end of the year to send in my reimbursements. They usually take a month to process.

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With Swisscare, I know because we use them, you pay your bills in advance and then get reimbursed.

They will begin to deduced your bills from your franchise. Once your bills start to surpass the $500 yearly franchise, they will deposit the remainder in your account.

I never wait until the end of the year to send in my reimbursements. They usually take a month to process.

no.38, Oct 23, 2012 @ 14:41

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Re: If insured, do you have to pay medical bills in advance?

Post 3

Oct 23, 2012 @ 14:40

From Meryame I have the idea she says you get your money at the end of the year, which would mean you have to pay the bill in advance. Don`t believe this is the case as many old people would end up on the street and so far I haven`t found any of them living under the bridge. Just call your insurance company and atleast sent them a copy of the bill as soon as you receive it.

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ThomasNL, Oct 23, 2012 @ 14:40

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Re: If insured, do you have to pay medical bills in advance?

Post 4

Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:29

Pay them then send them... you get it back after the 500 franchise pro rata is paid

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Pay them then send them... you get it back after the 500 franchise pro rata is paid

Charlie, Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:29

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Post 5

Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:30

Remember your health insurance is probably only for illness. So if these tests and problems are any thing to do with an accident in or out of work, your work accident insurance will cover the lot. Speak to Human resources and perhaps they can help

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peaky, Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:30

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Post 6

Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:37

you are correct on the point only that no need to wait for the end of the year to send justificatifs.

But If the bill is not paied on time you can expect reppels and poursuites = problems.

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you are correct on the point only that no need to wait for the end of the year to send justificatifs.

But If the bill is not paied on time you can expect reppels and poursuites = problems.

Meryame M, Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:37

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Re: If insured, do you have to pay medical bills in advance?

Post 7

Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:46

Thanks all for your replies, very helpful! So as I feared I guess I'll have to pay the expensive bill from the hospital... but if reimbursement is as quick as you say I guess it'll be ok...

Thanks again for your quick help :-)

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Thanks all for your replies, very helpful! So as I feared I guess I'll have to pay the expensive bill from the hospital... but if reimbursement is as quick as you say I guess it'll be ok...

Thanks again for your quick help :-)

Amparo Garcia-Lopez, Oct 23, 2012 @ 15:46

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