5 Tips for Negotiating a Medical Bill

It’s bad enough that you had to visit the doctor, hospital, or another medical facility. It’s even worse if you receive a bill, showing that you owe hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars.

If you find yourself in this position, you have a couple of options:

•    Pay the bill in full.
•    Contact the appropriate party in an attempt to negotiate a lower payment.

Which option is right for you? While you may not want to go through the hassle of negotiating, it can go a long way in saving you money.

Here are five tips for negotiating a medical bill with success:

1. Learn how to spot medical billing errors, as this could play some role in the cost of the bill.

2. Understand what you are looking at. What are you being charged for? Who was the provider? What was the procedure?

3. Ask if you qualify for discounts. Sometimes, receiving a discount is as simple as asking. If you are able to offer something enticing, such as paying your bill in full in exchange for a discount, you have a better chance of success.

4. Visit the billing department in person. This is not always possible, but it’s something to consider if you can make it work. There is a big difference between negotiating over the phone and doing so in a face-to-face environment.

5. Be polite at all times. You may be tempted to lash out, especially if you feel your bill was in error. Even so, you need to remain polite as you explain your situation. This will improve the chance of negotiating a more affordable bill.

With these five tips in mind, you will find yourself in better position to successfully negotiate any medical bill.

Do you have any other tips to add to this list? Have you had success negotiating medical bills in the past?