Medical debt can be unavoidable if money is tight. While paying it off isn’t as clear-cut as resolving other forms of debt, such as a loan or credit card, there is some flexibility to take care of it.
You generally have more room to negotiate the terms of repayment — and possibly reduce the amount you owe. You can also seek medical bill payment plans to pay over time.
To start, look over your medical bill and figure out what you’re expected to pay. If you have insurance, you can compare it with your explanation of benefits. But don't just take the bill amount at face value: You can always try to negotiate the total cost.
Contact the healthcare provider and be upfront about what you can pay. If you don’t have insurance, you might be charged more than someone who does. Knowing there’s a price disparity can give you leverage.
“That can be useful for negotiation when you actually have to pay the bill,” says Chi Chi Wu, director of consumer reporting and data advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center. “Tell them you’ll pay what BlueCross or Medicaid would pay."
Below are more strategies that may help.
1. Set up a medical bill payment plan
Many medical providers, including physicians, dentists and hospitals, can work out a no- or low-interest payment plan for your medical bills. This is one of the simplest and most common ways to resolve a bill you can’t afford in one payment. Call to see what they can do.
When you negotiate payment terms, you can generally break the bill into multiple equal payments until the total is covered. Ask if there are billing charges or other fees associated with a payment plan.
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2. Apply for a medical credit card
Providers may also offer to help you apply for a medical credit card that has an interest-free period of six to 12 months. Try to pay the debt within the no-interest window because many of these cards charge deferred interest. If you don't pay the full balance before the promo period ends, you'll owe interest on the whole original amount, going back to the purchase date.
3. Consider other credit options
Other credit options include:
Personal loans: A medical loan for healthcare expenses can help you consolidate medical expenses or pay for emergency or planned procedures.
Getting a personal loan to help you pay your medical bills may be best after you’ve exhausted other options, such as a payment plan or medical credit card. A loan comes with risks of additional interest, fees and negative credit score impact if you miss payments. Loan amounts typically range from $1,000 to $100,000.
» Compare the best medical loans
A traditional 0% interest credit card: You’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify for this option. Pay off your balance before the promotional interest period ends and an interest rate kicks in.
Dedicate the card only to medical bills if you go this route. Otherwise, it’ll be harder to keep records of the expenses for possible tax deductions or a medical savings account.
» See our picks for the best 0% interest credit cards
4. Try negotiating costs on your own
If you have medical bills in collections, you may be able to negotiate down the cost on your own.
Debt collectors generally buy debts for pennies on the dollar, so they may have wiggle room. Try to negotiate to pay less than you owe. Comb through your medical bills and spot any charges that seem wrong or too high, then follow up persistently with customer service representatives.
You might have a choice between a lump sum and a payment plan. Make sure you can afford what you agree to do.
» Top strategies to pay off debt
5. Hire a medical bill advocate
If you've had an extended stay in the hospital or an intensive procedure, you’re probably facing a mountain of medical bills.
You can hire a medical bill advocate to negotiate the debt on your behalf. Advocates are experts in medical billing who know how to read healthcare bills and understand common costs for procedures. They can spot potential errors or overcharging and help you reduce the amount you owe.
Watch for predators and scams when going this route. Make sure you know who you are talking to and how they work before sharing your information.
Check that any fees charged by a medical bill advocate would be outweighed by the savings before signing up for a plan.
6. See if you qualify for an income-driven hardship plan
You may be eligible for an income-driven hardship plan if you have low income and high medical bills.
Similar to a standard payment plan, an income-driven hardship plan can break the total amount you owe into more manageable, regular payments or even forgive the debt altogether. Talk with your provider to see if it offers such a plan; all nonprofit hospitals offer some form of charity care.
You may have to apply for Medicaid before being eligible.
7. Ask an organization for assistance
There are public programs and private organizations that may be able to help you tackle your medical bills if you aren’t able to do it on your own. These organizations can provide education on the kinds of financial assistance available, and may offer resources for things like prescriptions.
Search online and also ask your health provider or medical bill advocate for additional resources for paying your medical bills.
Here are a few organizations that may help with medical costs through grants and other assistance:
- USA.gov for medical and health care benefits.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for help navigating Medicare.
- The Healthwell Foundation, the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation and UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation for help with things not covered by insurance, or help finding grants.
- NeedyMeds for help finding prescription assistance programs and drug coupons.
Things to consider when dealing with medical bills
Take initiative: You may be tempted to ignore your medical debt. Doing so could cost you more in interest and may put your credit scores at risk. Take a proactive approach to paying off your medical bills.
Unpaid medical collection accounts stay on your credit report for seven years. If you pay that amount off, the collection is removed from your credit report, which can help your scores.
Seek relief if you need it: Consider debt relief or even bankruptcy if you're facing overwhelming debt and/or choosing between food, housing and paying back what you owe.
Validate the details of the debt: It may also be worthwhile to verify that the medical debt you owe is valid and that it belongs to you. Debt collectors are legally obligated to inform you of the name of the creditor, the amount owed and how you can dispute the debt.
Debt verification can help you confirm your medical bills are legitimate, that you actually owe the amount being billed, and that the statute of limitations on the debt hasn’t passed.
The CFPB has debt verification letter templates and a complaint process you can follow if you have trouble disputing medical bills.
