Although medical and dental insurance will cover a vast majority of your health care expenses, it still is a wise move to examine your bills carefully.

With multiple different rules and regulations enforced by the various insurance companies it is close to impossible for medical and dental professionals to guarantee that your bill is exactly as it should be. I am speaking from personal experience on this one. 

By carefully examining the charges billed to my insurance and comparing the insurance allowed maximums to what was billed to me as the patient for my share, I found a difference of nearly $400 dollars. I was lucky; the person who handles the billing was more than willing to sit down with me and review my account.

I'd gone over and over the charges over a period of three months. I kept thinking that a credit would show up. When it didn't, I called ahead and arranged to meet with the correct person, and I left not only with the $400 taken off of my bill, but a sincere apology, and a real respect for the worker who took responsibility and made things right.

The bottom line is that you should always examine the line items listed on a hospital or medical or dental bill. You might find some expensive mistakes−not only amounts that should have been write-offs, but even a procedure or exam that didn't actually take place.

If the costs look too large, pick up the phone and call. Hospitals will make adjustments more often than you think, especially if something is not covered by your insurance 100 percent. You could save hundreds or even thousands. For free help in understanding hospital bills, visit patientadvocate.org.