How to Dispute a Hospital Bill

A visit to the hospital involves a great deal of paperwork before admittance. Unfortunately, there is much more after the visit is over. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits and bills from radiologists, doctors and hospitals. Mistakes in amounts of supplies used, the type of room that you occupied, or the number of days in the hospital, can cause hospital costs to rise even higher. If you find mistakes on your bill, you can dispute them. Read on to learn how to dispute hospital bills.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Compare the bill to your records. Check the number of days you were charged for, the number of hours in surgery, the number of doctors in the room and the procedures done. List everything that doesn't match your records.

2. Call the insurance company when you find an error. The insurance company has more at stake than you do, because they pay most of the cost. They will speak directly to the hospital.

3. Contact the hospital if they still refuse to change the bill. Don't contact the hospital directly, but write to the address provided on the bill under "billing inquiries." Send them a notice in writing that you are contesting the bill and the reasons why.

4. Send your letter by certified mail with return receipt so you can prove the hospital received it. Wait for the hospital's response in writing.

5. File a complaint the consumer protection agency or the Attorney General's office of your state if the hospital is not responsive. The National Association of Attorneys General provides a list of phone numbers. See the Resources section for the website.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that hospitals are not permitted to report you to a collection agency while the bill is being disputed.

Resources

• Source for State Attorney General Contact Information

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[tracysmith159]

on 5/2/2009 Thanks for the heads up. I also learned to get a procedure in writing. I have RA and got an infusion of Rutuxin (for give my spelling on that) Anyhow I got the medicine for free from the company and the clinic said they would only charge me a total of $500. Well my bill was $2,200! I tried everything to dispute but got stuck paying because it was not in writing.. Which took me working an extra job and a year to pay off. Plus the medicine only last and year.. now I hurt and can't offord to get the medical help I need. Please if you know of any more ways I can get help [e-mail]

[blazingin]

on 3/1/2009 email me if you need to dispute a medical bill. most physicians will try to bill you for the contract reduction also. do not just pay your bill. you can ask for a reduction on anything but you [e-mail]

[hcm1]

on 3/7/2008 If you do not feel like you can comfortably do this, there are places that will do it for you. You only pay them if they can get a reduction and typically it's a percentage of the savings.

Chances are they will get a larger reduction than you can anyway. They know what the procedure should cost.

Here is one company that does it

http://www.hcmediation.com