What to Do When You Get a Medical Bill You Can't Afford

Medical emergencies are often unpredictable, and it may happen to anyone, including you or your loved ones. There may be a situation when such cases need hospitalization, and in the end, you get a medical bill that you may even go bankrupt and feel helpless. However, you don't need to worry, and in such circumstances, patient advocates can offer help paying medical bills and take you out of this situation.

Here are specific tips that you can follow when you get a medical bill you cannot afford.

1. Review the Bill for Any Errors

Since the billing department of a hospital has to manage a lot of data, errors in medical bills are quite common. You might have to bear expenses for a medical procedure or treatment that you have not undergone. Even if you receive a treatment, the charges for some items may seem unusual. The insurance company may pay for some specific brands. Some of the terms and conditions in your insurance policy may change. You should review the bill carefully and keep all the statements and information that you receive from the medical care provider and record phone calls and emails that are relevant.

2. Ask For an Itemized Bill

The bill you receive should be an itemized one, that means all the services and price must be listed separately. However, hospitals usually provide a bill where the services received are summarized, and a lump sum amount is shown as the amount due. So if the bill you receive is not itemized, make a request to the hospital's billing department for an itemized bill. Ask questions if there are multiple readings for medical tests and scans since you should get charged once. Get an itemized statement to find out any problems.

3. Know About Balance Billing

If you undergo treatment or a medical procedure at a hospital, several medical professionals treat you like medical practitioners, nurses, anesthesiologists, and others. Except for your treating physician and hospital, the other medical professionals may not be present in your insurance network, and for that reason, your bill amount may be higher. That is why your insurance provider doesn't pay for the total cost of the procedures, and you receive an outstanding balance known as balance billing.

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