Did you know that there’s something you can do to help cut your medical bill costs and avoid going into debt? Find out what it is!
Many people assume that medical bill costs are unchangeable, but that’s not always true. A recent study reveals that patients can often save money by disputing charges that seem incorrect or by negotiating for financial help.
A University of Southern California study found that 86% of consumers who didn’t challenge their medical bills believed it wouldn’t make a difference. However, those who did reach out often had positive results.
According to the study, published in August 2024, about 26% of people who contacted billing offices to dispute a charge or express their inability to pay had their bills corrected. Additionally, 15% received a price reduction, 8% were given financial aid, and 7% had their bills canceled entirely.
“Of the people who did reach out, most of them got some recourse through self-advocacy”, said Erin Duffy, co-author of the report and research scientist at USC’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics.
Approximately, one in five respondents reported receiving a bill they either disagreed with or couldn’t afford. Of those, 62% contacted the billing office to address the issue. The study surveyed 1,135 U.S. adults from August to October 2023.
“If you can’t afford to pay something, or [if a bill] doesn’t seem right or match what your care experience was, you should call and ask questions about that”, Duffy advised.
Medical Billing Errors Are Common
A 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) study found that medical billing is often inaccurate, particularly for adults over 65. Errors occur frequently due to mistaken insurance claims, especially for people with multiple insurance providers.
Common billing mistakes include missing or incorrect claim information, authorization problems, missing medical records, incorrect billing codes, and late filing of claims. These errors can lead to claim rejections that would otherwise be paid.
Ignoring medical bills can lead to financial trouble, such as late fees, interest, debt collection, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and a damaged credit score, according to the CFPB. If a charge seems unreasonable, it’s important to question it.
If you believe you’ve been overcharged, request an itemized bill from your provider or hospital. Check for errors, duplicate charges, or incorrect charges. PatientRightsAdvocate.org suggests researching the fair market price for services and using that information to negotiate.
To dispute a bill, contact your medical provider’s billing office. Their phone number will be listed on your bill. When speaking with your provider, keep a record of your communication. Note down the names of people you speak to, what was discussed, and when they commit to getting back to you. Here are other questions you should consider asking:
- Are the charges accurate?
- Do they reflect the services you received?
- Do the bills reflect the payment by your insurance and reflect what the provider understood would be covered?
- Do any of the charges indicate a service was “out-of-network” when it wasn’t?