It pays to question medical bills

One quick phone call was all it took to slash a healthcare quote.

- By Neesa Moodley

Too often, when it comes to medical schemes, members are intimidated into accepting bills that are ridiculously high or explanations that might not make sense. The two scenarios below show why it's well worth your time to push back.

It's Januworry — the month when your wallet seems permanently empty, the grocery cupboard looks sad and the only place you seem to have lots of money available is your medical savings.

I took my teen to the optometrist for his annual checkup. Cue a new pair of spectacles (his broke and he has been using an old pair) and he wants contact lenses now because, well, university.

Although this medical savings account does look flush this month, I'm well aware of how quickly those funds run out, particularly since I'm on chronic medication. (I managed to stretch it to September last year.)

So, after some discussion with my ex-husband, we reviewed the quote from the optometrist and decided we would each pay half in cash. I called back to let them know and, just in case, to ask if there would be any change to the quote.

Lo and behold, the consultation fee dropped from R872 to R300. That's a 66% difference. Which just goes to show, it always pays to ask if there's a discount (and have cash on hand).