How to negotiate your medical bills | Life Kit

Correction: A previous version of this video incorrectly suggested that hospitals never charge interest on medical debt. It is unlikely but not impossible that a hospital would charge you interest. Credit card interest will almost always be higher than a hospital's.

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VIDEO CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Biggest misconceptions about medical debt
01:53 - Charity care
03:27 - Itemized bill
06:26 - Negotiate your bill
11:15 - Paying in installments
12:46 - Roleplay
19:32 - Pick a word
20:05 - Recap

[uservemewell]

After watching this video, it cannot be denied how fucked up the American healthcare system is!

[ChibiStar]

Ok, I’m here to say that this works. I literally watched this video, took mental notes and called the hospital where my mom owed close to $800 in medical bills. I paid $350 to close them all out!!! I feel like I could have gone lower still but this was major!!

[Paulgeorgiyev]

The medical industry is a crime, my wife ended up in the er for less then 3 hours and I got a nearly $9000 bill. I can barely afford to survive in this economy let alone pay for huge medical bills…

[sarahmcbeth]

The fact that our politicians and mainstream media and their talking heads talk about men getting pregnant or not but not about things that affects the lives of millions in this country like unfair and fraudulent medical bills is shameful.

[christinanaomi]

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO MAKE OUR BILLS MAKE SENSE! USA HEALTHCARE IS A DAMN JOKE. WE HAVE INSURANCE, THEY CHARGE 3K+ AND WANT US TO PAY $1, 500 FOR A SIMPLE IVY AND PAIN MEDICINE? IF NOT YOU GET A MARK ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT. TRASH.... THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO.

[ILoveAmerica]

The fact that this video exists proves the US Healthcare system is an absolute failure.

[diamondsprince]

the fact that you gotta do all this while recovering is crazy

[jaredb.]

Got food poising, the clowns at the ER fixed me with one IV in less than 2 hours. $7, 000 bill.

[salamoore]

Every American needs to watch this omg. Thank you for this information on how to self-advocate 🙌

[mathewjerome]

“What is the settlement amount?” I’m going to use this line.

[MichaelBoelton]

there's no way an ER bill will be just a thousand dollars. The doctor's fee is double that. I went to the ER for very bad abdominal pain and the bill was $16000 and I was in and out of there in less than 3.hours. Even if they offered for me to pay half at $8000 it is way too much for it was and something i could never afford.

[innocentloyal]

Why did I just call the hospital to see if they had a charitable program? They did and it worked. My total bill of 2, 800 was wiped out. This video just saved me thousands of dollars. Thank you guys.😅

[nealmobley]

Often the bill is for insurance copays and deductibles, which can be quite substantial for a hospitalization, and the propriety of the bill isn't an issue. The problem is, the patient may have very limited assets and income despite a substantial household income that precludes eligibility for charity.

[melanierosalez]

Thank you for this video and the advice provided by Jared. I was excited to try negotiating.

I finished negotiating my professional and hospital medical bills just now and I wasn't able to get to 30% off of the total due.

I might have been able to keep pressing, but I felt tired of the process for this time around and I'm thinking I've made the average amount of attempts.

Over 4 phone calls (on 4 days in a row) I asked a billing representative for a settlement amount on $1, 100 total balance due.

I was given 7 offers that were 5% off, 10% off, 15% off and 20% off. I accepted the 20% off.

I really did want 30-50% off.

I'm wondering for now and next time, was this a typical experience?

[Crickett]

I’ve been in situations where they won’t send me an itemized bill or when I do get what is supposed to be an itemized bill it lists one overall thing in some medical shorthand. This was years ago before it was so easy to look up medical billing codes online but even so what do you do when this happens repeatedly even when you ask for a supervisor?

[pieces]

I just got a judgement letter for garnishment of my wages from a creditor for Newton Medical Center. From 2010 and they hospital is now Piedmont Newton, This hospital is in Newton County and They got a judgement in DeKalb County.

[hummingbird]

What a great service you provided with this video. 👏

[dianafleming]

When I start these fights, I know I am going to be put on hold for up to and beyond an hour at a time. I *resign* myself to this at the *beginning* of the day and have some snacks/movies/youtube cued up for the wait.

[LifeLearnLoveLead]

Great broadcast, i have been a diabetic for over 35 years.

One of the recommended procedures are to have my feet done. Recently received a notice for $261.

Called Doctor's office, they told me to call my insurance. My insurance company told me it's the way they coded at your visit.

Called back and spoke to a receptionist and they would send a email to Doctor/Technician to change code.

One thing mentioned in this broadcast was it's tedious. Agree, amongst others issues I'm dealing with housing and other life situations.

I also explained this to the billing office, not sure what was her reply. Just exhausting.

Because of this situation, i made a reasonable attempt to do more on foot care, as recommended.

Cut my toe, excessive bleeding, had to see urgent care.

Dam if do, Damn if not willing to schedule any other appointments with podiatry.

$261 dollars every 3 months visits. If they recorded my visits.

I am only trying to live my best life at my age. Repeating the derails to each person i speak to is draining.

[SaucersInc]

So messed up our heath ins are this horrible, why are we bartering in this day in age