by Alexis Cala, PICurrent Assistant Producer
Courtesy of Wreslingentropy
In a country run on debt, everyone is at least a little worried about what’s happening in their wallet. Bills are becoming harder to pay and many are going without the things they need for the things they absolutely need. Paying expensive medical bills may not be on the top of that list, especially if you have mouths to feed.
But, you’re not the only one who loses when bills don’t get paid. Hospitals and doctors’ offices also lose billions of dollars every year from unpaid medical expenses.
What a lot of people don’t know is that healthcare providers will happily take the little bit of money you can pay, over no money at all. In fact, if you ask for help, many offices will either set you up on a payment plan or offer a discount (read the full story on The New York Times).
If you don’t have health insurance or you are having a difficult time keeping up with bills, here are a few things you can do:
- Talk to your doctor or billing department. If you let your doctor know about your financial situation you might find that they can help. Many can offer you a 10-30 percent discount or offer a monthly payment plan. Healthcare providers are used to negotiating with insurance companies all day long, why shouldn’t you get the same benefit?
- Make sure your getting the lowest rate. If you still can’t pay, check the U.S. Department of Labor website for how much Medicare would pay for the same procedure. Use this figure as your starting point for negotiation. Asking for the lowest rate they’d give an insurance company could end up saving you thousands.
- Find out if you’re eligible for charity care. Some hospitals offer no or low cost care to those who can’t afford it. To be eligible you must meet certain financial guidelines, and be unqualified for state or government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.).
- Consider a federally-funded health center. There may be health centers in your area that offer assistance programs to get you low-cost, quality care. Even if you have no health insurance, these programs let you pay what you can afford, based on your income.
Also be sure to check out our sister site, The Beehive, for more information on affordable coverage and handling healthcare costs.
[...] learn more, check out our previous post Paying Off Debt: Medical Bills Without the Hassle. Our sister site, The Beehive, has a great section on getting financially fit. [...]
[...] There may be help available for those overdue medical bills. Before you pull your hair out, read our previous post Paying Off Debt: Medical Bills Without the Hassle [...]
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