The first and best thing to do after getting an outsize medical bill is to pause and not pay anything, experts say. Getting discounts and cost reductions may take extra work, but there are many reasons to try.
I just got a big hospital bill. What should I do?
First, gather information. An insurance company will spell out what you owe in an "explanation of benefits." Call the insurer with questions. Ask if the insurer has reached a final decision. You may be able to appeal.Get an itemized version of your bill, and check for possible errors, such as services you don’t think you received.
If you don’t understand a charge, ask the hospital and, if you’re insured, the insurer. You may want to get them on the phone at the same time. It can help if you know the billing codes for each service, often given as five-digit numbers known as CPT codes. Take notes!Negotiate with the hospital. Many offer aid for low-income or uninsured people. But you need to seek it out. Ask for help from the hospital with the financial aid application.
Some nonprofits offer help for free. Other advocates charge for their services. Some states have their own advocates.Don't use credit cards to pay off medical debt. Try to work out a payment plan and ask the collector to hold off reporting debt to credit bureaus.Don’t ignore the debt collector or the suit, because that risks a default judgment against you. That could mean a lien on your house or garnishment of wages. You might qualify for free legal help.
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