Clark Howard Medical Bills: How to Take Control of Medical Debt

Medical bills can be a nightmare, but you can take control of the situation. According to Clark Howard, one in five Americans have medical debt, with the average amount owed being $18,000.

It's essential to understand that medical billing is a complex process, and mistakes can happen. Clark Howard notes that 80% of medical bills contain errors.

To start tackling your medical debt, it's crucial to get a copy of your medical bill and review it carefully. This will help you identify any errors or discrepancies.

By taking control of your medical bills, you can avoid costly surprises and potentially save thousands of dollars.

You can minimize medical debt by negotiating before treatment. Make some calls to various medical providers to see what they charge for the procedure you need. If it's available for less somewhere other than your preferred provider, use that as leverage to try to get a better price.

It's almost always to your benefit to get treatment at a doctor's office or clinic if you can. "Anything you're able to do outside of a hospital environment, you want to do outside of a hospital environment", Clark says.

If you're unable to negotiate a better price, you can still try to work out a payment plan with your provider. See if your hospital or medical professional will break up your debt into more manageable equal payments that you could make over time. Ideally, there would be no interest or fees associated with the payment plan because that would just add to your debt.

Here are some steps to follow when trying to work out a payment plan:

If you're struggling to pay off your medical debt, trying to work out a payment plan with your provider is a viable option.

You can request a payment plan as early as possible after receiving your bill, which demonstrates your desire to pay what you owe and makes it more likely that your provider will work with you.

Ideally, the payment plan would break up your debt into more manageable equal payments with no interest or fees, but be aware that this may not always be the case.

Consider making some calls to various medical providers to see what they charge for the procedure you need, and use that as leverage to try to get a better price.

If you're unable to negotiate your bill down, a payment plan can still help you make progress on paying off your debt.

Here are some steps to consider when requesting a payment plan:

Managing medical debt can be a daunting task, and it's not uncommon for people to feel overwhelmed by the process. According to a recent study, over 60% of Americans have medical debt, with an average balance of $10,000.

The first step in managing medical debt is to understand the types of medical debt that exist. There are two main types: hospital debt and medical billing debt. Hospital debt is incurred when a patient receives care at a hospital or emergency room, while medical billing debt is a result of unpaid medical bills from a doctor or other healthcare provider.

In the US, hospital debt accounts for the majority of medical debt, with an average balance of $15,000. This is likely due to the high cost of hospital care, including emergency room visits, surgeries, and other procedures.

Medical billing debt, on the other hand, is often the result of unpaid bills from a doctor or other healthcare provider. According to the American Medical Association, over 40% of medical bills contain errors, which can lead to delayed or denied payments.

To manage medical debt, it's essential to communicate with your healthcare provider and insurance company. Be sure to ask questions about your bill, including the charges, insurance coverage, and any financial assistance available.