Got an unexpected medical bill? What to do before you pay it

An unexpected bill is not necessarily a correct one. Before you pay, a few steps protect you and often reduce what you owe.

Pause before you pay. Paying a bill that turns out to be wrong makes getting the money back slower and harder. A short delay to review it is reasonable. Tell the billing office you are reviewing the charges and ask them to put the account on hold while you do.

Find the EOB for the same visit. If you do not have one yet, the claim may still be in process and the bill may simply be early. Wait for the EOB, then compare the two line by line.

Ask for an itemized bill. A summary statement shows a total. An itemized bill shows every charge, and that is where duplicates and services you did not receive become visible.

Know your protections. Under the federal No Surprises Act, most people with private health insurance are protected from surprise out-of-network bills for emergency care, and for certain care from out-of-network providers at in-network hospitals and facilities. In those situations you should only owe your normal in-network cost share.

Dispute in writing. If something is wrong, contact the provider's billing office, explain the specific error and ask for a corrected statement. If the problem is how the claim was processed, contact your insurer instead. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.

Ask about assistance. If the bill is correct but hard to afford, many hospitals offer payment plans or financial assistance based on income. It is worth asking before the account is sent to collections.

General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Every plan is different, so check the details against your own plan documents.