For many people, hospital stays, or medical procedures can be life-changing. They are often followed by a high bill that is difficult to pay without financial assistance. How should you handle this situation? How do you start negotiating medical debt if the hospital will not budge on its price? This blog post talks about how to negotiate with your healthcare provider and what options are available for those who cannot afford the expense of an unexpected medical event.
Try to Negotiate Medical Debt Directly with the Provider
The first step in negotiating medical debt is to contact your healthcare provider. Do not ignore the bill or put it off for another day when you can pay right away. Make sure that you call immediately and explain the situation openly, like you would if a friend asked for help paying their bills. Some providers have charity programs where they will write off the bill for patients who are struggling financially. Others may not be able to reduce it but will work with you on a payment plan if one is necessary.
Get Outside Help With Negotiating Medical Debt
If your provider does not have any programs available or will not help, then consider working with an independent medical billing advocate. These professionals can negotiate lower prices and payment plans so that you do not have to do it yourself. They are also well-versed in the medical billing process so they can help you avoid making mistakes along the way. It can also be beneficial to have them help you audit the hospital’s bills for excessive charges or “errors” in billing.
There are free debt negotiation services available but be wary of scams and always check with your state’s attorney general before working with any company. Even if there is no cost for their service, the company should provide a consultation before taking over your medical debt. This ensures that you understand what they can and cannot do for you to help with negotiations, avoiding hidden surprises later.
Go Public with Your Debt Story
The last thing that you should consider is going public with your complaint. If a hospital or other healthcare provider has been unreasonable in their negotiations, then contact the media and let them know about it. They may be able to spotlight what is going on at this facility which can lead to changes as well as encourage others who are struggling. NPR has a segment on medical billing called “Bill of the Month” where they highlight the most egregious cases from around the country.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/16/585549568/share-your-medical-bill-with-us
In California, you may qualify for “Emergency Medi-Cal” aid from the state. This is a program that covers emergency procedures for those who cannot afford to pay. You must apply with the state and receive approval, however. Applying for Medi-Cal can be difficult, so it is best often best to find your local office at the county website to seek guidance through the process.
Medical debt can be devastating but don’t lose hope. There are many ways to negotiate with your healthcare provider and lower the cost of medical debt. Reach out to any and all resources you can find in your community and never feel shame for being unable to pay. Extreme medical expenses are a common dysfunction of the medical system and most of us have struggled with it at some point.
