Pay less on your medical bill.
Find out if you qualify for the hospital's financial help, spot common billing errors, and get ready-to-send letters that ask for a lower bill.
| Item | Code | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency visit, level 4 | 99284 | $1,840.00 |
| CT scan, head | 70450 | $2,310.00 |
| CT scan, head | 70450 | $2,310.00 |
| Lab panel | 80053 | $214.00 |
| Medication you brought | J3490 | $96.00 |
| Amount due | $6,770.00$4,364 after fixes |
Build your plan.
Answer what you can. Your plan and letters update as you go. Skip anything you don't know.
Your assistance deadline
Your next steps
Your letters
Want a professional to handle it? Medical billing advocates review bills and negotiate for you, often for a share of what they save you.
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Everything here is worked out on your device. We never see your bill, your income or your letters.
Rules that are on your side.
Most people never hear about these. Billing offices know them well.
Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial help
Nonprofit hospitals are required to have a written financial assistance policy, make the application easy to find, and accept applications for at least 240 days after the first bill. They also have to try to tell you about it before taking serious collection steps like lawsuits.
Federal tax rules for nonprofit hospitals (IRS section 501(r))Surprise bills are limited by law
For most emergency care, and for out-of-network doctors at an in-network hospital, you generally only owe your normal in-network share. Uninsured? If your bill is at least $400 over your good faith estimate, you can dispute it within 120 days.
No Surprises Act. Help desk: 1-800-985-3059Collectors have to prove the debt
If a collection agency contacts you, you can ask them to validate the debt in writing. If you ask within 30 days of their first notice, they have to pause collecting until they answer.
Fair Debt Collection Practices ActOther bills piling up too?
Medical bills rarely come alone. These free programs can free up money for everything else.
Check what you qualify for
SNAP food benefits, Medicaid, CHIP, WIC and more, in about two minutes. Medicaid can sometimes cover medical bills from before you applied.
Open the benefits checkerHelp with heating and power bills
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps pay utility bills and can stop a shutoff. Your state runs it.
Find LIHEAP in your stateOne call for local help
Call or text 211 to reach a local specialist who knows the rent, food and bill programs near you. It's free and confidential.
Visit 211.orgRather call? Here's what to say.
Pick the call you're about to make. Keep your bill in front of you and write down who you spoke to and when.
Questions people ask.
Will asking for help hurt my credit?
No. Asking for an itemized bill, financial assistance or a payment plan doesn't affect your credit. Asking early, before a bill goes to collections, gives you the most options.
I already paid part of it. Can I still apply?
Usually yes. Many hospitals apply assistance to bills you've already paid in part, and some refund what you paid if you qualify. Ask in your application.
What if my income is too high?
Many hospitals also help when a bill is large compared to your income, even above the usual limits. You can still ask for a discount for paying yourself, a lump-sum settlement or an interest-free payment plan.
Should I put the bill on a credit card?
Usually not before you've tried the steps here. Once a bill is on a credit card, it's a credit card debt with interest, and you lose the hospital's assistance and payment plan options.
Is this legal or medical advice?
No. This tool explains common billing rights and gives you letters to start the conversation. Rules vary by state and by hospital. For a large or complicated bill, consider a billing advocate, a legal aid office or your state's insurance department.
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