In the U.S., a medical crisis can very quickly become a financial crisis. These steps can help you approach a medical bill that you can't pay:
There's an estimated $195 billion of medical debt in America. But just because a medical bill comes in the mail doesn't mean you have to pay that exact price. Here's how to negotiate your bill.
If you get a medical bill you can't afford, here's a brief rundown of Walker's suggestion for how to eliminate, reduce or negotiate the bill.1. See if you're eligible for the hospital's charity care program. To get started, you can search for your hospital's name plus"financial assistance." Walker says in most cases, this search should lead you to the hospital's policy. Dollar For also hasWalker says non-profit hospitalsto provide free or reduced care to patients within a certain income range, which varies from hospital to hospital. It's not always advertised, so reach out and ask about it.
If you have some savings and you can afford to pay something up front, call the billing office and ask for a settlement amount, or what they'll accept if you pay the bill that day."Typically, we can get 30 to 50% off," says Walker. 4. If paying something up front isn't an option, you can ask the hospital to put you on a payment planYou may not get anywhere with the first couple of calls. But keep plugging away. Walker recommends writing down the name of the person you're speaking to so you can refer to the call in the future if needed. And don't be afraid to ask friends and family for help making these phone calls. It's one way they can support you through a medical crisis.
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