ARE YOUR DONATIONS ACTUALLY DOING GOOD?

Charities need our help now more than ever. Here's how to be sure your dollars are going where you intend:

* Check the organization's performance at www.bbb.org/us/charity (Better Business Bureau), www.guidestar.org, and www.charitywatch.org.

* Many charities have similar-sounding names -- don't assume the one soliciting you is the same one you have in mind.

* A charity that wants your money today will accept it tomorrow, so don't be pressured in to an on-the-spot gift. Research appeals marked "crisis" or "emergency" by checking the organization's finances, governance, and track record on their website.

* If the organization's mission is unclear, ask for their annual report.

* To determine if your gift is tax-deductible, go to www.irs.gov, Publication 78 for a directory of eligible organizations. Be sure to keep good records for tax time.

* Give directly at a charity's dedicated website rather than responding to online solicitations; they often link to third-party sites that keep a portion of your donation as a processing fee.
Source: Better Business Bureau


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HOW TO AVOID OVERPAYING ON YOUR HOSPITAL BILLS

Did you know 8 out of every 10 hospital bills contain multiple errors? Even if your insurer covers overcharges, they will count toward your lifetime spending cap. Here's what to look for:

~ Incorrect basic data - if information such as your insurance group number is wrong, the amount the plan covered is likely to be off too.

~ Unbundled fees - call your insurer to see whether multiple lab tests in one day should have been bundled under one fee, and what items are included in kit, tray, and room fees to avoid duplicate charges. Operating room fees, for example, cover sheets, gowns, and gloves.

~ Duplicate orders for medications, lab work, or room fees - you might be billed for a canceled procedure, or for 11 cholesterol tests instead of one.

~ Operating room times - the anesthesia record states what times surgery began and ended. With O.R. rates ranging from $69 to $270 per minute, being over-billed for extra minutes can add up.

~ Up-selling - if your doctor orders a generic drug but the hospital provides you with a more costly brand-name version, you are not responsible for the increased charges.
Source: Consumer Reports

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