Single co-pay should cover multiple ailments

Dear Bruce: When a person visits a doctor and has more than one ailment, is it customary for the doctor to give a bill for each complaint? For example, the patient goes to see his family physician for ear pain and while there says his finger also hurts. If the co-pay is $20, is that then doubled to $40? Does this have a name, if it happens at all? – C.C., via e-mail

Dear C.C.: While I’m sure there have been some places where a physician has done what you’ve described, it has never come to my attention. Further, would an insurance company pay for multiple inquiries from the same patient from the same office visit? Generally, you pay for the office visit, not by the question. If a physician was billing that way, he would be my ex-physician.

Probate ensures doctor bills are paid

Dear Bruce: I have an elderly brother whose estate includes a home, car and substantial amount of money in CDs. The problem is, he does not have a will, and he has no plans to get one. I’ve heard his estate will go through probate court since his only living relatives are his siblings. How long could this process take? What percentage will the government and his four siblings receive? How will his doctor and hospital bills be paid? – C.P., via e-mail

Dear C.P.: Your brother, I gather, is no longer mentally capable of having a will drawn. This means, when he passes, he will have died intestate, which means without a will. The laws of the state where he is living shall prevail.

One or more of you – one is the best choice – would have to apply to the probate court to be named administrator of his estate. The administrator would have the same role as an executor, if your brother had executed a will. The other siblings will need to sign off on the decision. The administrator will have to follow the laws of the state with regard to paying all of the obligations of the deceased and then disposing of the assets and distributing them according to the provisions of the law. This is another illustration of how much better it would be for all to have a properly executed will.

As to the government, it’s unlikely there will be any taxes due — unless the estate runs seven figures. After the doctors, hospitals, etc., are all paid, the money will be divided among the heirs. It’s very likely the administrator will have to seek the services of an attorney, and those costs can be paid out of the estate. I would insist upon an hourly rate, not a percentage fee.

Ailing reader should avoid significant risk

Dear Bruce: Is there a way my wife and I could earn more money than through buying certificates of deposit? We are in our late 50s. I have congestive heart failure and have been given about a year to live. We are both disabled. Our income is two Social Security disability checks and an insurance disability check that will end when I die. My wife is averse to risk, but I’d like to set her up with something better than 5 percent CDs. The house is paid for (worth $60,000), as is our vehicle. We pay off our credit cards every month and have $30,000 in three CDs at 5 percent.. What would you suggest? – L.L., via e-mail

Dear L.L.: First, let me offer my sympathies regarding your health. You are clearly facing it well. In this instance, I would suggest you stay with the CDs. You can probably do a little better than the 5 percent, but the point is, the amount of money is relatively modest. So even taking significant risks, the cash-flow increase would not justify the angst your wife will very likely have to suffer, particularly after she has to face these without your advice and counsel.

Bruce Williams is a national radio talk show host and syndicated columnist. He can be reached at bruce@brucewilliams.com.[[In-content Ad]]