Get help with your medical bills with these tips

If you get hurt, the last thing you should have to think about is how you’re going to pay off all your medical bills. In many cases, if your injury is caused by someone else, you’ll be able to make a claim for compensation. When you aren’t able to make a claim, then you’re in a different position. You’re already suffering pain and losing time from work, but now you’re also facing debt. You aren’t alone; close to 2 million people live in homes that file for bankruptcy because of medical bills, and those that don’t may still have high amounts of medical debt.

So, how can you pay down and manage your medical debt? Make sure you always review what’s on your bill. It’s possible that charges could be incorrect, so you don’t want to end up paying for things you don’t owe. If you’re not sure about a charge that’s on the bill, call the hospital or facility and talk about it. The staff should be able to help you understand your bill.

If you can’t afford your bill or need to make payments, speak with your health care provider. There are many who will give you discounts for paying in full or on time on a payment plan. Many of these companies and organizations would rather help you than allow you to struggle to the point of bankruptcy, because if that happens, they won’t be paid in full anyway.

You can also seek help from nonprofit organizations and the government. There are some government assistance programs that help people who may be struggling financially, and there are others that can help those struggling with certain health conditions.

Source: Nerd Wallet, “How to Find Help With Medical Bills,” Claire Tsosie, accessed Sep. 10, 2015