Facing incoming medical bills is overwhelming even in the best scenarios. Many people have trouble covering these bills. They might think that they have good medical insurance until those bills come rolling in. When this happens, you need to ensure that you are protecting your interests because these bills come with some specific considerations.
First, scrutinize the itemized bills. If the medical bill doesn’t include this, contact the sender and tell them that you need an itemized bill. You might be surprised what you were charged for that you actually didn’t receive.
Next, double check the explanation of benefits. Typically, you will get this prior to the bill. It explains what your insurance will cover and what you are going to have to pay for. Remember, this isn’t a bill, so you don’t have to pay it when you receive it.
Third, you might have to contact your insurance company to verify that it doesn’t cover something. There are times when coding errors by the medical facility will result in a denial of coverage. By getting this corrected, you can lower what you are liable for.
Fourth, negotiate a payment plan with the medical company. You might be able to make monthly payments on the bills. If you noticed any discrepancies or odd charges, be sure to address these before you agree to a payment plan. You might even opt to pay smaller bills outright, so you don’t have to worry about them any longer.
If the medical bills are truly overwhelming, and you don’t see how you could ever pay for them, think about filing for bankruptcy. This can have the medical debt discharged and can get you on the way to better financial health.