Top 5 Myths About Medical Bills

 

Medical bills can't be negotiated

Most people think that their medical bills are non-negotiable.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  There are many ways to reduce your medical bills and we know them all.
 

Medical bills are always accurate

A recent study estimated that up to 80% of medical bills contain at least one error.  Medical Bills are almost never completely accurate. 
 

An itemized bill details all the services a patient received

An itemized medical bill is a very lengthy and confusing document.  It can list dozens, if not hundreds, of line items and patients assume that every one of them was actually done.  Not true!  Many times there are charges for services that were not rendered (this is especially true for ER bills).
 

I'm a smart person.  I can figure out my own medical bills

Your intelligence level is not the most important factor when deciphering a medical bill.  The billing process is highly complex and idiosyncratic.  Even the smartest people have trouble understanding their medical bills.
 

Medical bills don't affect my credit score

It is easy for a medical bill to be sent to collections without your knowledge.  Even one medical bill that is left unpaid can reduce your credit score significantly.