How to Get Financial Support for Unexpected Medical Bills
When an unexpected illness or injury strikes you or a loved one, medical expenses can pile up quickly, leading to the need for help with your medical bills. In fact, over 66% of all bankruptcies are due to medical issues in the US, according to CNBC. One survey found that 25% of adults have a medical debt of $5,000 or more.
It can be tough to focus on treatment when you don’t have access to the proper care, or you’re trying to deal with enormous medical costs. This guide explores how to pay for unexpected medical bills and the different ways you can seek help. You can:
- Negotiate your hospital bill
- Reach out to charities that help with hospital bills
- Find out how crowdfunding can reduce medical debt
- Learn about government assistance programs
- Use a medical bill reduction service
How to get financial assistance when you don’t have insurance
Nearly 8% of adults in the U.S. lack health insurance for the medical care they need. It can be understandably distressing trying to figure out how to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses — but it is important to understand your options and get financial assistance for medical bills as soon as possible.
Your first order of business is to check Healthcare.gov to see if your state has expanded Medicaid. If it hasn’t, call your state Medicaid office to find out if you’re still eligible for some help with paying medical bills. You might also consider using a patient advocacy service that may be able to help you understand how to pay medical bills without insurance.
These services can also help you understand your expenses, negotiate medical bills on your behalf, and offer assistance with medical bills for costs you can’t cover alone.
How to get help with medical bills: 9 resources
Getting financial help with medical bills and staying out of debt is possible, even with significant medical expenses. These options can help you get rid of debt and put you on the path to financial relief.
1. Ask your doctor for resources
One of your rights as a patient is to discuss the financial aspects of your treatment. Bringing up finances and billing may encourage your doctor to suggest more affordable alternatives based on your budget and insurance plan.
Doctors and their assistants may be able to steer you toward medical bill assistance resources —including hospital or health group administrators who can connect you with different forms of financial aid.
Your doctor may even have tips on dealing with your insurance company or finding help with medical bills for low-income families. Every doctor’s office policy is different, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
2. Ask for an itemized bill and check it for any mistakes
It is common for hospital bills to contain errors. Studies show that approximately 80% of medical bills have errors, of which 63% are coding mistakes by hospitals. These mistakes can result in unnecessary and higher charges on your bill.
It’s always a good idea to ask for the itemized bill to make sure you do not pay for services you did not receive. Common mistakes include patients being charged for a full day in hospital even if they were discharged in the morning, being charged for medication that wasn’t used, or even being charged for supplies such as gowns, gloves or sheets that were already included in the daily room charge.
An explanation of benefits (EOB) should also outline the care you received, your healthcare costs, what your insurance company has covered, and any out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance.
The No Surprises Act means you should have billing protections for emergency and non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. This is meant to restrict the amount you can be charged on a surprise medical bill issued for healthcare you recieved from out-of-network providers that are not covered by your health plan.
Double-check all charges before setting up a payment plan with your hospital or doctor’s office. You may need to contact your healthcare provider first to clear up any incorrect charges.
3. Negotiate your hospital bill
If you are on a low income or know you cannot afford your medical bill, some hospitals can help by allowing you to negotiate or request a payment plan to make the costs more manageable. Don’t be shy – be honest with your hospital’s billing department about what you can and can’t afford to pay and see if they can lower your charges. It’s best to share your monthly income and other debts with them as this will help paint a larger picture of your financial situation.
It may help if you are able to make an upfront payment first and negotiate a series of monthly payments afterwards, though this requires you to have the money for a lump sum payment.
4. Use GoFundMe to help pay for medical expenses
Crowdfunding is a popular way to get assistance with medical bills and pay for expensive medical treatments when insurance coverage falls short or is nonexistent. Starting an online fundraiser on GoFundMe to raise money for medical bills has many benefits. Here are a few:
- An online fundraiser can provide you with the support of your friends, family, and community during a challenging time.
- The process of setting up your fundraiser is straightforward. You can begin raising money when you need help paying medical bills within minutes.
- It’s simple to accept donations online and get paid quickly.
- While difficult, it’s a good idea to share your fundraiser on social media, from Instagram to Facebook, to rally your community.
- Medical fundraising can help you reduce your medical debt and cover your expenses.
If you need help with your fundraising journey, look for a crowdfunding website offering customer support day and night. Another key feature to look for in a crowdfunding site is a blog or help center where you can learn medical fundraising tips or a medical crowdfunding guide to make the most of your fundraiser. Don’t forget to check out easy fundraising ideas before getting started.
5. Apply for government assistance programs
Government resources can be especially useful to assist with medical bills if you meet the eligibility requirements. Here are some places to start:
- Call your state Medicare program to see if you qualify for state or federal help.
- The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides financial help with medical bills for low-income parents who don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance coverage.
- The Health Resources and Services Administration has a number of programs that offer affordable care to those struggling with medical expenses.
Your medical provider and your state may also provide financial assistance programs, sometimes called charity care, which helps people who are uninsured or whose insurance policy doesn’t cover all their expenses to access free or discounted medical care. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sets out the steps you need to take to access this system and what to do if debt collectors are contacting you while claiming financial assistance.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a nonprofit hospital has to have written policies that outline the eligibility requirements for financial assistance, which you can request to see if you qualify.
6. Find charities that help with paying medical bills
If you’re still unsure how to get help with medical bills, nonprofit organizations are devoted to helping people with specific medical conditions. Search for healthcare-focused charities and nonprofits to see if any apply to you. These organizations can be beneficial if you have a chronic condition that requires ongoing assistance with medical bills.
7. Consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you have a high deductible health plan (HDHP), you’re likely eligible to open a Health Savings Account (HSA). Contributions to an HSA are tax-deductible, and the funds can be used tax-free for qualifying medical expenses, which can help manage out-of-pocket costs and save you money.
8. Ask your hospital for a payment plan
Many hospitals and clinics offer payment plans that allow you to pay off your medical bills in installments over time. These plans can often be interest-free, which will be more affordable than if you pay the bill with a credit card which can have varying interest rates and leave you paying more over time.
Even if you do reduce your medical debt, it still needs to be paid. Unpaid debt can lead to extra charges though late fees, lower credit scores, interest charges, and pursuit from debt collection agencies. A recent ruling from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has banned the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports, however. But asking your hospital billing department if they offer a payment plan is a good way to start managing any medical debt.
9. Use a medical bill reduction service
Medical billing issues can be complex and frustrating to deal with, but help is available. A medical bill reduction service, such as Emry Health, a GoFundMe partner, helps to reduce medical bills for patients across the country every day. Through their simple tech portal and expert support, Emry’s team can:
- Check for billing errors to ensure your charges are accurate.
- Determine if you qualify for a $0 or discounted hospital bill.
- Negotiate with providers to lower your bill or set up a manageable payment plan.
Click here for more information about their service and how to get started.
Still don’t know how to pay medical bills? We want to help
Thousands of people turn to GoFundMe every day to raise the funds they need. Whether you need help paying medical bills right now or you’re anticipating expensive treatments in the future, GoFundMe can help ease that financial burden. Are you ready to start a new fundraiser to pay for medical bills? There is no fee to start and you’ll find tools to help you reach your goal.