5 Ways to Negotiate Those Medical Bills There are Some Workable Options
When faced with a large medical bill, the first instinct may be just to pay it. But if you are like most people, you cannot afford to pay for healthcare out of pocket. That is where medical bill negotiation comes in. By negotiating your medical bills, you can reduce the amount that you owe. Here are some tips on how to negotiate those medical bills.
1. Know What You Owe
The first step in negotiating your medical bills is to know what you owe. This may seem like a daunting task, but it is essential to have a clear understanding of the charges you are facing. Next, you can request a detailed bill from your provider, which will list all of the services you received and the associated costs. Once you have this information, you can begin to negotiate.
2. Compare Prices
The next step is to compare the prices you are being charged with the costs of similar services in your area. You can call around to different providers or use an online pricing tool such as Fair Health Consumer. If you find that the prices you are being charged are significantly higher than the average, this will give you more leverage in negotiations.
3. Call Your Provider
Once you understand what you owe and how much similar services cost, it is time to call your provider and begin negotiations. It is important to remember that providers are not required to lower their prices, but it never hurts to ask. You may be surprised at how willing they are to work with you if you are polite and reasonable.
4. Set up a Payment Plan
If you cannot pay your medical bills fully, another option is to set up a payment plan with your provider. This involves agreeing to make regular payments over a period of time until the bill is paid off. Many providers are willing to work out payment plans, so this is worth considering if you cannot pay your bill in full right away.
5. Seek the Guidance of a Professional
Negotiation is not easy for many people, and those who are inexperienced with a give-and-take might end up on the losing end. It helps to have a financial wellness professional advise on how to go through the process. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services is here to help.
We Work with the Best
Countrywide has a financial wellness benefit that promotes economic health. We have a nationwide network of certified counselors who are professionals who deal with common money problems. Our counselors will provide advice to plan members, the kind of wisdom that is gained only after years of experience. The counselors also have ideas on how to afford those medical expenses better.
Our financial wellness benefit is not something we impose on a client. Instead, we ask management to look at all of our service options, decide which ones are the best for their unique workforce, and tell us those services they would like to have in their financial wellness benefit. Then, we include those in the final plan document.
Moreover, we will go a few steps further. We will provide administration and member services for the benefits. This begins a relationship with the client that gives employees some of the best help they could possibly have with their money and improves their individual financial wellness.
Countrywide dedicates itself to helping people. We have the type of services an individual needs to keep personal budgets healthy and teach people how to spend their money wisely. If you have any questions about our benefits, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. Financial wellness is something that everybody should have. We can assist in making that happen.
