How to negotiate your medical bills | Life Kit

There's an estimated $195 billion of medical debt in America. But just because a medical bill comes in the mail doesn't mean you have to pay that exact price. This episode, why you don't have to pay sticker price for medical procedures and how to negotiate your bill down. Our guest is Jared Walker of Dollar For (dollarfor.org), a non-profit dedicated to helping people navigate medical debt.
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!

[@user-eg4sq8dn1h]

Screwed up People must come forward and fight

[@rhal2930]

@@user-eg4sq8dn1h What can anyone do to even start to fight this screwed up medical system. The charges have gotten way out of hand. ? How did this happen ?

[@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.😅

[@anlukenguyen]

😊😊

[@ChibiStar88]

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!!

[@user-eg4sq8dn1h]

Well for me they did not negotiate n they said that I owe

[@sarahmcbeth9156]

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.

[@mathewjerome]

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

[@salamoore]

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

[@diamondsprince]

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

[@BryantMitchell]

We shouldn’t have to do this

[@vattenflick]

Amen. I hope that we voters stop tolerating this. It's wrong.

[@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…

[@dianafleming1335]

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.

[@jaredb.9804]

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

[@uservemewell]

Did you dispute it? Any luck in getting the bill lowered?

[@user-yp6in8nl9z]

give as an update. what happened with the bill?

[@YTStoleMyUsername]

This is what financial assistance /charity care is for. Or just ask the hospital if they can lower the bill, or at least request an itemized invoice. The total may drop significantly if you reach out and communicate you want to resolve it. I had a +$20k hospital bill for being in the ER for less than 2 hrs for (what turned out to be) a minor issue. I didn't take an ambulance or anything. I applied for their charity care and the entire thing was written off.

[@nealmobley2835]

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.

[@soglossytv9794]

We need socialized health care

[@hummingbird9573]

What a great service you provided with this video. 👏

[@wjnorrisiii1934]

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.

[@julietteblount66]

Not only was this super helpful, but the scenarios were also hilarious 😂!

[@austin5879]

Thank you so much for making this video, great information! Clear and concise with fun visuals. Love it

[@SwimmingUpCurrents]

This was so helpful. Especially the mindset and persistence. Thank you!

[@tatianagarcia1973]

This was so helpful I appreciate it so much! After having to have my appendix removed and not having insurance it’s nice to know I have options ❤

[@ILoveAmerica1123]

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

[@melanierosalez6989]

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?

[@melaineyisaac6672]

i needed this, more people need this

[@feathersoffancy8988]

thank you, my partner’s rlly freaking out about his emergency room bill and I’m happy I can find resources like this to help them. Thanks

[@indianachia6884]

Same for me sister, $43k for ER 2 hs visit, my husband passed a kidney stone, only some pain medicine and lab work done, INSANE. Plus an other $1300 bill for a CT scan. He has no insurance coverage, we are freaking out.

[@strongtv_creator]

Did y’all fix it ??????

[@strongtv_creator]

Both of you guys

[@strongtv_creator]

I just passed a kidney stone and owe 15k 🤦

[@KnowledgeSeeker78491]

“Is not as urgent as they say” really…well what do you do when they send your bills to collections because that’s where my Sept 2023 bill has landed as of Feb 2024…what to do…negotiate with collections or say bye bye to that 720+ credit score I have😢

[@Celestespaletteresells]

Thank you so much!!

[@jennifergonzalez3895]

Wow thank you for this video

[@jackiemansfield8325]

Had to go to the nearest ER at 2AM for a syncope episode, the internist in charge didn’t gave a clue what happened to me, gave 2 dizziness pills, and 2 weeks later 25K bill arrived in my house. I have no health insurance, live on SS, no Medicare, and can’t afford it. Charity takes long time to approve, if so.

[@GO-nh6br]

You were billed a level 5

[@nprpodcasts]

Correction: 20:50 It's unlikely but not impossible that a hospital would charge you interest. That said, credit card interest will almost always be higher than a hospital's.

[@cmst6408]

watch Maxed Out, a lot give people credit card applications at the hospital

[@SaucersInc]

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

[@user-ju5fc1if9j]

Do you look and compare to the Medicare Fee Schedule??

[@user-yp6in8nl9z]

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.

[@MeherScholar]

In Scenario #3, what if you have a thousand dollar medical bill but you have a $5K deductible. Presumably you KNOW you have to be prepared to pay $5K cash in any year. Can you still say you want a discount or do they really only do that for un-insured?

[@cmst6408]

Thanks this would good to do with other bill. Forgot a parking ticket and now they $150 is crazy! And cant reach anyone by phone, cant disbute online...

[@hollybacon3172]

Thank you!!!

[@pieces9678]

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.

[@amylee9]

did you go to court for this?

[@pieces9678]

@@amylee9 no had no idea it was happening and I have lived at my current address for almost 6 years now. Didn't get a notification from anyone.

[@Crickett75]

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?

[@MeherScholar]

I called a hospital to request an itemized bill. It never arrived in the mail, so I went in person to request it. After studying it, I tried phoning to say my $824.55 bill for a flu test seemed excessive. They said it seemed perfectly normal to them (of course). I asked to speak to the supervisor. They refused, saying that they don't bother the supervisor with such trivial things. I said "So you are the official person who speaks for the hospital? I only get to talk to you?" I asked her name and she gave me just her first name. Obviously I was being roadblocked. Like the guy says in this video, try calling again the next day.

[@CatsAreNiceMeow]

Can this be done with vet bills? They’re becoming out of control expensive!

[@oclopez7008]

Aww man glad I have options

[@christinanaomi382]

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.

[@EEMendel]

I've called about 6 times now (and emailed once). Each representative has been different, but their answer is always the same. "We can't offer any discount other than an interest free payment plan..." It seems silly to keep calling at this point. Should I also attempt to talk with my insurance company to see if they can do a better job negotiating?

[@angelao.beckford6052]

I ask for itemized bill and never received and know that sent it to collector.

[@beautifulbrownchick]

I’m dealing with this right now. I have been calling these people since February and it is now May. I feel like I am stuck in a vicious circle. There seems to be no end in sight.😖

[@AhmedMakkiyah]

Try to write a review, it will make them notice …

[@elizabethcarter6566]

I have a question that maybe you. I went to an urgent and I had to pay a certain amount up front before I could even be seen. I asked the front desk lady if I would be charged anything. She said to me that I would not be charged anything else unless I would have an x-ray or something along those lines done. But I would be told it would cost more before they did it. I knew that i would need some type of lab work done as I was thinking i had kidney infection or something. Doc ask about if I wanted another test too and I asked if it would cost me more she said no I dont think so. I was given the tools to perform the test on myself and sent into the bathroom to do the usual pee in a cup but also had to do something else I had never been asked to do before but i did as instructed. They treated me for what they thought was wrong. Stating that when the results came back if it was something else i would be contacted. Almost a week passed A doc called me back with results and new medication. 2 days later i received 2 bills in the mail from LabCorp one was almost a thousand dollars and the other was 70+ bucks. Its been like 3 months and i havent called or paid because How do I prove I was told I wouldnt be charged anything?

[@wonderwhen6084]

This video is helpful, but producers PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS POSED BELOW!

[@juliacarney4153]

Marielle as a disgruntled admin is cracking me up

[@crexx8296]

Ok but that simulated phone call is legic accurate

[@tammyvinas2120]

I actually don't know exactly how much I owe. I have at least two bills for the same day, same services, and two different bills with two different amounts.

[@banjobenson9348]

What are some web sites to help with CPT codes in my area ?

[@davidstern6397]

I was wondering the same thing

[@banjobenson9348]

Keep digging there are some sites out there, I even went to the claims people at my local blue shield office. The external bills like anathesiology and emergency room Dr's I got 50% off by waiting and telling them i wanted to get it paid and just kept calling them back. I even wrote a letter to Emerg room Dr's since their 800"# was hard to get into. I offered 60% and got 50% off. Hope this helps. @@davidstern6397

[@ChronicMe]

what if you had a payment plan with the hospital and they sell to a collection company anyway?

[@cryptosig283]

That doesn’t sound legal. I would consult with a lawyer about that

[@ultimacj]

What if the itemize bill is WAY higher than the statement you owe?

[@sujatatorres8535]

My son has hospital bill, ambulance and rehab bill but he is in jail for now...how do I go about asking for forgiveness? My son has no money and I am a single mother. Can u please advise and let me know what my options are as well as how do I go about writing letters to see if they can forgive his bill

[@anyaknight5481]

Did you find out anything? My ex died and my children are being billed!

[@caracrabtree715]

I’m pretty sure there aren’t many non profit hospitals left

[@user-yp6in8nl9z]

most hospitals in the united states are technically non-for-profit. all that means is that they can't distribute profits among shareholders. so basically they keep expanding and getting larger instead

[@user-eg4sq8dn1h]

Sorry None of this works I know ur trying to help I’m dealing with. Er bill Technically the bill is right although they have charged ridiculously high for something simple like a comprehensive blood work 1350 usd .. snd when I called they simply say that’s the hospital charges And that they can’t reduce it I feel reductions will Happen during collections but it might ruin ur history They r saying 24 months easy pay . That’s the max the hospital is offering .. I feel bad for Americans in general Thankfully I m from India and I have a country to go back to 😅 Hospitals are abusing healthcare I looked at your video and I told the phone operator about settlement amount n she saysYou have to settle the amount that you owe 😅

[@user-eg4sq8dn1h]

I was just observed Given nothing Basic blood work was dine Charges is 15000 usd and I owe 2300 usd so far

[@RoseS-mf8ye]

Why does hospital billing works like car dealerships. So backwards ...

[@cutiepiecatloveallanimals6602]

Don’t pay or answer their calls for about two years, then your good

[@anyaknight5481]

What do you do when the person who had the medical bills passed away? Does the family owe? Hospitals are coming after us!

[@Offroadreel]

From what I’ve heard, they can’t put the burden of medical bills on someone else just because the person that received the services passed. If they tell you otherwise you can fight it in court.

[@wonderwhen6084]

There are usually laws that allow the medical provider to sue the dead person's estate.

[@gageramsey2200]

If they can take advantage of you THEY will!!

[@Randywatson34]

If you have medical insurance and you get a bill, you have to pay it there’s no negotiation. The insurance company has already negotiated the rate for you.

[@user-eg4sq8dn1h]

Ur abs right

[@anomaly2990]

Propaganda mouthpiece.

[@y.w.9925]

how is this propaganda

[@wjnorrisiii1934]

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. This has been the best response i have found. Found out this was from a visit in November 2023