Hit With an Expensive Medical Bill? You May Not Have to Pay the Full Amount.

HEALTH Americans often struggle with steep costs for healthcare, which can lead to lingering debt. Tap through for tips on negotiating a big medical bill. By Melanie Evans and Anna Wilde Mathews Dec. 1, 2021 Tap story

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. David Goldman/AP, Cover: iStock { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-zoom", "duration": "3s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "scale(1.03)"}, {"transform": "scale(1)"} ] }

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! Don Petersen/AP { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-pan", "duration": "10s", "easing": "ease-out", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "translateX(-15px) scale(1.1)"}, {"transform": "translateX(15px) scale(1.1) "} ] }

How do I reduce my hospital bill? 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. These forms vary by hospital, and sometimes require detailed financial information. Houston Cofield/Bloomberg News { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-pan", "duration": "10s", "easing": "ease-out", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "translateX(-15px) scale(1.1)"}, {"transform": "translateX(15px) scale(1.1) "} ] }

If you are denied financial aid, you should appeal. You can also still negotiate for a discount. Offering to pay quickly may help. Offer an amount you think you can manage. Houston Cofield/Bloomberg News { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-zoom", "duration": "3s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "scale(1.03)"}, {"transform": "scale(1)"} ] }

Hospitals accept wildly different prices depending on who pays. The uninsured often get the worst rate. You should fight that. Try to find out what insurers and Medicare pay, using the hospital website or one like Turquoise Health. Houston Cofield/Bloomberg News { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-pan", "duration": "10s", "easing": "ease-out", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "translateX(-15px) scale(1.1)"}, {"transform": "translateX(15px) scale(1.1) "} ] }

If you don’t get a good deal from the hospital, you can work with a healthcare consumer advocate, whether you’re insured or not. Some nonprofits offer help for free. Other advocates charge for their services. Some states have their own advocates. Houston Cofield/Bloomberg News { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-zoom", "duration": "3s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "scale(1.03)"}, {"transform": "scale(1)"} ] }

What do I do if my bills end up in collections? 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. Houston Cofield/Bloomberg News { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-pan", "duration": "10s", "easing": "ease-out", "fill": "forwards", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "translateX(-15px) scale(1.1)"}, {"transform": "translateX(15px) scale(1.1) "} ] }

I’m getting sued over medical debt. What should I do? 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. Nic Coury/Bloomberg News { "selector": ".wsj--ani-media-zoom", "duration": "3s", "easing": "ease-out", "keyframes": [ {"transform": "scale(1.03)"}, {"transform": "scale(1)"} ] } Read the full story

Produced by David Starr and Elena Chiriboga Read the full story