P站视频

When you have a serious illness like cancer, keeping up with medical bills can be hard. But there are steps you can take to help manage the burden.

What happens if I can’t pay my medical bill?

Getting treatment for a serious illness, like cancer, can be expensive. Your finances may be affected by changes in your work schedule or your caregiver’s work schedule. You might also have expenses that are not covered by your insurance. It’s natural to worry about medical bills and what happens if you can’t pay them. It might feel overwhelming, but there are things you can do to help manage.

Consequences of not paying a medical bill

• You might have to pay a late fee if you pay the bill after the due date.
• After 60 to 120 days, the unpaid bill may be sent to a collection agency. The agency may call or send letters to you to get payment.
• If a bill over $500 is not paid within a year, it may affect your credit score.
• In some cases, collectors may find other ways to recover the debt, such as lawsuits.

Debt collection

A debt collector must follow strict laws when trying to get payment from you. But in some cases, they may sue you. If they win a suit, they may be able to take money from your salary. This is called garnishing your wages. They may also be able to put a legal claim, called a lien, on your home. This can prevent you from selling the property until the debt is paid.

Different states have different laws regarding medical debt. If you think you may have trouble paying medical bills, look up your state’s medical debt laws. Or it may help to talk with an attorney who focuses on debt collection.

Do unpaid medical bills affect my credit?

Whether your medical debt affects your credit depends mainly on the amount owed and how long the bill has gone unpaid.

• Medical bills less than $500 usually are not on your credit report and shouldn’t affect your credit score.
• Medical debt higher than $500 will not appear on your credit report for at least a year. The major credit bureaus give you a year grace period to pay or resolve the bill.
• If you don’t pay debt over $500 after the grace period, it can appear on your credit report for seven years. It’s usually removed once it’s paid.

What should I do when I receive medical bills?

When you receive medical bills, keep and organize them. After care or treatment, you will receive a statement from your insurance called an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). This shows what insurance paid and what you still owe. Look very closely at the bills and Explanations of Benefits (EOB) you receive. In some cases, they can have errors.

Understand your bills

• Don’t pay any bill until you have the final EOB from your insurance company. If you have more than one plan, wait until you have the EOB from all plans.
• Review bills for any errors. Contact the billing department the bill if there’s a difference between your bill and the EOB.
• Keep and review approval or denial letters or prior authorizations for medical care from your insurance.

Stay organized

• Keep a record of conversations with anyone you speak to about your medical bills. Note name, dates, and what you were told.
• You can also use your health insurance website or app or a hospital's website to find details, upload forms, or contact customer service.

Prioritize paying certain bills

• Watch for notices that say the bill will be given to a collection agency. These bills need to be paid first, if possible.

If you cannot pay your medical bills, it may help to talk with an attorney to help decide the best plan for you.

Finding ways to pay for medical bills

There are a few options to help you manage medical bills, depending on your situation.

If you have health insurance

• Talk to the billing office for the hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office. Ask if they have a financial counselor or patient navigator.
• Work out a payment plan. Many hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices will work with you on this.
• Check to see if you qualify for financial assistance.

If you do not have health insurance

• Ask for a good faith estimate of costs before you receive any services. Compare it to the bill once you receive it.
• Ask if you can negotiate costs before you get care.
• Meet with someone in the billing office of the hospital or clinic. Ask if they can give you the same discounts that they give Medicare or major health insurance companies. Or ask if you can make a payment plan.
• Ask to meet with a social worker or financial counselor or navigator to find resources that might be available. Ask if you qualify for financial assistance.

If you’re having trouble with surprise bills

When an out-of-network provider is part of your care at an in-network hospital or other setting, it can result in a surprise medical bill. The No Surprises Act helps to prevent unexpected charges. It helps protect people from having to pay out-of-network fees when they had no control over whether a specific healthcare provider is in network.

This law helps covers emergency care and situations where you’re treated at an in-network hospital by an out-of-network provider, like a radiologist or anesthesia team. In these cases, you should not be billed more than your in-network co-pay or coinsurance.

What should I do if I have problems with other bills?

You might also have credit card debt, other loans, and regular monthly expenses. If you are having trouble paying these bills, you might want to talk with credit card, mortgage, and utility companies. They might work with you to arrange smaller monthly payments. Be sure to pay for living expenses linked to your mortgage or car loan. Not paying these bills can lead to loss of your home or car.

There are Programs and Resources to Help with Cancer-related Expenses.

If you continue to have trouble paying medical or housing bills, talk with an attorney who focuses on consumer law, debt collection, or bankruptcy to help decide the best plan for you.

Consumer credit counseling

You can also find a nonprofit consumer credit counseling service to help with this. But it’s important to know that not all credit counselors are the same. Some agencies that call themselves nonprofits have hidden fees that can add to your debt. Check with the (NFCC) to find accredited ones.

Employee Assistance Programs

If you are employed and have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at work, it may offer financial counseling or other support to manage your healthcare bills or other debt.

Government program support

If you are unable to work, you might be able to get support from government programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These programs can take time to navigate. Be prepared to advocate for yourself and follow up with them regularly.

Ask someone to help

It can be challenging to get billing issues or errors resolved. You may need to make many phone calls and keep information organized. If it becomes overwhelming, ask a family member or friend to help you. Or reach out to support organizations to see if they have case managers or financial counselors who could help.

Can I use crowdfunding to help pay bills?

Medical crowdfunding has become popular for people with serious illnesses, like cancer. It allows people to use websites to raise money to help cover medical bills or other costs. A crowdfunding campaign may be created by the person with the diagnosis or a family member, friend, or caregiver.

If you, your friends, or your family would like to start a crowdfunding campaign, find out whether it might affect any benefits you receive. Money raised could affect Medicaid, SSI, or other assistance programs so always check with your sources of benefits. 

If you have questions, talk with an attorney or social worker.

Where can I find more information?

The following organizations may also offer helpful information. The P站视频 is not affiliated with or responsible for these resources. 

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF)
Toll-free number: 1- 800-532-5274
Website: 

The Patient Advocate Foundation works with the patient and insurer, employer, and/or creditors to take care of insurance, job retention and/or debt problems related to a diagnosis. It includes help from case managers, doctors, and attorneys. This resource is for people with cancer in treatment or less than 2 years out of treatment.

Internal Revenue Service  
Toll-free number: 1-800-829-1040 TTY: 1-800-829-4059

Website: 

The IRS provides answers to tax questions, tax forms, and referrals to free tax help for those who qualify. You can find a list of tax-deductible medical expenses here.

United Way      
Toll-free number: 211
Website: 

Local United Way agencies help people access local resources and services to address their needs.