Clearing Benefits Confusion

Dealing with an unclear cancer diagnosis is an unimaginable burden. When Wolfgang “Wolf” Wetzel suddenly lost vision in his right eye in late 2018, he started a confusing, frustrating, and costly journey that remains unresolved.

Since then, Wolf underwent emergency surgery, chemotherapy, and countless rounds of imaging. At one point, he visited six different doctors before a single concern in his abdomen was diagnosed. Wolf’s care is costly, and he wanted to ensure he was getting the best care possible. Yet he found it difficult to even begin to understand his benefits.

“I’m always tired, and I really don’t have the strength to research, Wolf said. “You almost have to be a lawyer to understand medical bills these days.”

When Wolf was too exhausted, HealthJoy’s concierge team stepped in to help.

The Confusing Cost of Care

The American healthcare system is difficult for even experts to navigate. In a 2016 survey, 61% of patients were confused by their medical bills. That may not be an issue for most healthy Americans who visit hospitals only a few times each year. When a complicated health diagnosis like Wolf’s is part of the picture, a lack of understanding is yet another source of stress.

For Wolf, the treatment process was absolutely draining. He wasn’t even sure which portions of care his employee benefits would cover, and wanted to make sure he wasn’t overpaying for treatment. It left him worried while he should have been focused on becoming healthy.