Getting It Explained?

July 18, 2006 -- Do you know what your insurance covers? Do you understand the invoices you get from your hospital or your provider? Do you understand the EOB (Explanation of Benefits) your insurance company provides when you make a claim? Have you actually read your policy? If you have, did you understand what you read? Did it give you confidence that your medical needs would be met? When you go for medical care, do you know what you'll be charged out of your own pocket? Or do you cross your fingers and hope for the best? Can your doctor (or your doctor's receptionist) provide clarity on any of this? Do you even bother to ask? Have you ever tried not to pay an insane medical bill? Have you seen what that does to your credit rating?... And then tried to buy a car or a house or get a credit card? Why is any of this OK?