Always Ask These Three Questions Before Paying Your Medical Bill

If you’re unlucky enough to live long enough in the US, you’ll end up with such a large medical bill that your jaw will drop. Even if you’ve been lucky enough to avoid that nightmare so far, you probably know someone’s scary story about medical bills. Despite all the shock and confusion, you may be wondering: Is there a proper way to deal with a medical bill filled with unexpected expenses?

The first thing to remember is that there are many erroneous accounts . The next time you get a bill for treatment, it’s worth making a phone call (or two, or a hundred…) to find out if you really owe it – chances are you were billed by mistake. Whether it’s human error, technical glitch, or intentional fraud, the bottom line is that you need to understand exactly what you’re paying for before coughing up a cent.

Unfortunately, our healthcare system holds patients accountable for staying online, double-checking bills for errors, and advocating low-cost care. To get started, here are three questions you should ask before paying an unfair medical bill.

Can I see an itemized invoice?

A medical bill can be a hodgepodge of confusing codes and deliberately vague bills. Always ask for an itemized invoice to make sure you are not overpaid for services you may not have even received. Despite the hype around this hack that you can see online, an itemized bill will not necessarily cut your costs in half. However, someone may give you the opportunity to dispute fraudulent payments or human error in your account.

When reviewing an itemized invoice, ask yourself: Am I recognizing all expenses? Are the dates and vendors correct? To determine this, you need to compare the bill with the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) you should have received from your insurance. On this note…

Is my insurance billed correctly?

If the bill is higher than expected, confirm that your insurer billed correctly. When you compare your detailed report with your insurance company’s explanation of benefits, you can see if they were billed for the same services. What you’re looking for is a fee on your claim that doesn’t appear on the EOB, so you can contact your provider to ask your insurance company for a bill for this service.

How much is it?

What’s your best defense against unexpectedly high medical bills? Be active before the bill arrives. While you’re still in the hospital, doctor’s office, or pharmacy, ask questions about cost ahead of time: How much will it cost? Are there inexpensive alternatives? Do I absolutely need this procedure/test/treatment?

By asking these kinds of questions, you can avoid painful and potentially useless negotiations in the future. It’s grim, but it’s also our current reality. So, at the very least, make sure you ask all of the above questions before paying an unfair bill.