The headache: You don't have the time you suspect it will take to untangle the thorny billing issue you are facing.
Who can help: A patient advocate.
The solution: You share your information with a medical billing advocate and they take over, researching options for reducing your bill and doing much of the legwork. Some nonprofits offer this service for free; there are also for-profit advocates, such as those listed in the AdvoConnection Directory. Some corporate benefits packages include access to companies like Wellthy, which offers patient advocacy services
The headache: You opted to pay for a procedure out of pocket—but it turned out to cost way more than you were told.
Who can help: A government arbitrator.
The solution: Under the No Surprises Act, which took effect at the beginning of 2022, if you pay out of pocket for a service, you should be given a good-faith estimate of its cost in advance. If the bill comes in more than $400 above that estimate, you can submit a claim to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (see how at cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers), and an arbitrator will determine what's fair.
The headache: The bill is correct, but more than you can afford right now.
Who can help: The hospital billing department.
The solution: You've got options depending on how out of reach the expenses are. Some hospitals offer a "prompt pay" discount: If you can put the whole thing on your credit card on the spot, they might knock off up to 10 percent. And if you have a deeper need, most hospitals offer payment plans or financial aid for patients under a certain income threshold. Application details should be on its website.
KEVIN DUPZYK
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