What do you do when you disagree with or can’t pay a medical bill?
Many Americans struggle to pay medical bills, even avoiding care due to cost concerns.
According to a recent survey, 1 in 5 patients received a medical bill within a year that they disagreed with or couldn’t pay. Nearly 35% of the bills came from medical offices, almost 20% from emergency rooms or urgent care, and over 15% from hospitals. Other sources included laboratories, imaging centers, and dental offices.
Just over 61% of respondents contacted the billing office to dispute their bills. Almost 76% of patients who reached out obtained financial relief. Nearly 74% who discussed a possible billing error received corrections on their bill. For those who negotiated their bills, almost 62% saw a reduction in the final price.
Additionally, 18% of patients who contacted received a better understanding of their bill, 16% set up payment plans, and just over 7% had their bill completely canceled.
The majority of people who reached out about their medical bills reported that it took less than an hour to resolve their issue.
Many Americans are on health plans with high cost-sharing, including plans with high deductibles. This consumer-driven healthcare paradigm aims to motivate consumers to be more mindful when seeking care. But it ultimately places the burden on patients.
Another recent study found that 87% of hospitals in the U.S. offer their own payment plans, but only 22% of them post plan details on their websites.
In other words, the next time you receive a medical bill that bothers you, pick up the phone and inquire about benefits that may exist for you.
Source: CNN