Help With Medical Bills and No Insurance

While proper medical care helps to maintain your health and, in some cases, can even save your life, this care comes at a steep cost. Health insurance helps consumers bear the financial burden of rising health care costs, but not everyone has coverage. USA Today reports that, in 2010, over 50 million Americans lacked health care coverage. Fortunately, programs and services are available to help the uninsured pay off medical debts more comfortably.

Charity Care

Many hospitals offer charity care programs for the uninsured to help them manage the medical debts they incur. Charity care programs base assistance on your income and differ depending on the hospital that provided the care. Unfortunately, many uninsured individuals are not aware that they qualify for charity care because hospitals don't always advertise these programs. Contact the billing department for the doctor or hospital that provided your care to find out if any such programs are available and whether or not you qualify.

Discounts

In an ironic twist, uninsured individuals typically pay a higher price for health care than insurance companies do. Insurance companies negotiate lower balances with doctors and hospitals to keep costs low. Uninsured individuals, often unaware that negotiating medical debts is an option, pay a much higher price for health care.

Insurance companies receive a discount, and nothing stops you from requesting one as well. Some health care providers also offer significant discounts to those who pay their bills in full immediately. Thus, if you can afford to do so, paying up front can save you money on your total bill.

Payment Plan

If you do not have the necessary cash to pay the bill all at once, ask the health care provider if you can set up a payment plan. With this option, you pay the medical debt in regular installments that continue until completely paid off. Health care providers understand that the cost of medical treatment is simply too high for most consumers to pay off in a lump sum and many are willing to compromise by accepting payments over time.

Find an Advocate

A 2009 New York Times report notes that, according to Medical Billing Advocates of America, nine out of ten hospital bills contains inaccuracies. These mistakes can result in your health care provider sending you a bill for more than you owe. Working with a medical billing advocate can help you avoid falling victim to costly errors.

A medical billing advocate's services don't come cheap -- some charge up to 30 percent of the amount saved -- but for an individual with considerably high medical debts, the price may prove to be well worth the results.