Treatment Costs and the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit

Where to Ask, and How to Ask Your Doctor

  • The hospital's patient support office or medical social worker — an estimate based on your income category
  • Your insurer's counter — the certificate and the annual-cap procedure
  • Your doctor — "How much will this cost, and does the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit apply?" This is not a rude question.

Three things to do today

  1. Check your co-payment rate on your insurance card
  2. Once admission is set, apply for the eligibility certificate (or prepare your My Number card)
  3. Keep a year's receipts together

When the money side is clear, treatment decisions become easier to face calmly.