The One Question That Could Save Your Employees Thousands

A few days ago, I received a call from an employee at one of my client’s companies. She sounded frustrated.

“Al, my doctor’s office told me they accepted our insurance… so why did I get this bill?”

It turned out she’d done exactly what most people would do. Before scheduling her appointment, she called the doctor’s office and asked, “Do you take my insurance?”

The answer was, “Yes.” She assumed everything was fine.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

The Difference Between “Taking” Insurance and Being In-Network

The office accepted her insurance company, but the physician she saw wasn’t participating in her specific network. Those aren’t the same thing.

The consequences of this subtle misunderstanding were immediate:

• The employee had an unexpected, costly bill and was incredibly frustrated.

• HR was frustrated trying to mediate the issue.

• Everyone was stuck trying to solve a stressful problem that could have been prevented with just one extra step.

Moments like this remind me that benefits education isn’t just an open enrollment event.

The Simple Question That Saves Thousands

Most employees don’t need to memorize their health plan. They simply need to know the handful of questions that can save them hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars.

The next time you or an employee schedules an appointment, ask this specific question:

“Can you help me verify that this specific physician is in my plan’s network?”

Note: The most reliable place to confirm network status is always the insurance carrier’s provider directory or member services—not the provider’s office.

Better Utilization Starts with Education

Sometimes the biggest improvement to a benefits program isn’t changing the plan itself. It’s helping employees use the plan they already have.

What’s the most common benefits misunderstanding your employees run into? Let me know in the comments below!

Al Schiebel

An Oakbridge Partner Agency

📞 404-256-2171 | ✉️ al@shopbenefits.com