How to Pay Off Medical Bill Debt

Medical bills challenge many Americans, both insured and uninsured alike, who can find paying them crippling to their finances. According to Families USA, as of 2007 more than 41 percent of consumers had to deal with the issue of medical bill debt. There are several options for those faced with the burden of medical debt.

Instructions

1

Analyze each charge on your medical bills. According to MSN Money, you may have been charged for services that you never received or physician-ordered tests that were cancelled. You may have been billed twice for the same prescription or service. Do not simply send the hospital or billing provider payment until you are sure all charges on your bill are valid. Always keep accurate medical records in case you need to dispute any medical errors.

2

Ask your doctor or hospital about programs they may offer to help you pay off your debt in a timely manner. Having your bill reduced will result in more manageable monthly payments and enable you to pay off your debt faster. Doctors and hospitals may be motivated to offer repayment plans because the usual option, a debt collection service, may claim up to 50 percent of the debt for its services.

3

Apply for aid from the government. Ask the billing department of your hospital or doctor if your state offers any programs that can help you pay off medical bills. For example, you can take advantage of the Federal Government Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) program.

4

Get charitable assistance. Find out if you qualify for assistance from a charity that works directly with patients who have a specific disease. For example, for help with prescription copayments cancer patients can contact the CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (cancercarecopay.org). Another source for cancer patients and those dealing with a number of other chronic or life-threatening illnesses is the HealthWell Foundation (www.healthwellfoundation.org).This program provides assistance such as free medical exams and prescriptions. If you are underinsured and your income is 200 percent beneath federal poverty guidelines, the nonprofit Dispensary of Hope (www.dispensaryofhope.org) may help you receive prescriptions at no charge.

5

Consider working with a nonprofit agency. For example, while the Patient Advocate Foundation does not offer direct financial assistance, it can help you negotiate with insurers or medical creditors. The foundation's services are free. Contact this nonprofit group at 1-800-532-5274 or www.patientadvocate.org.