LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new study revealed people who challenge an unexpectedly high medical bill are likely to pay less.
The study published Friday in a medical journal by the American Medical Association found one in five people have received a medical bill they couldn't afford or disagreed with the charges. Nearly 75% of the people who claimed an error had the mistake corrected. And more than 60% were able to get a price cut or payment plan.
Kelly Taulbee, director of communications for Kentucky Voices for Health, a nonprofit that looks to improve the health of Kentuckians, said the study is an important reminder to ask questions.
"There is no harm at all in advocating for yourself when it comes to your health care," she said.
Taulbee also experienced a surprise medical bill personally this summer.
"I knew I felt that the bill was wrong, so I immediately placed an inquiry on it," she said. "And then when they checked the records, that entire bill, more than $2,000, went away."
It turned out the service she received was mis-coded and therefore wrongly billed.
Here are some tips to dispute your medical bill.
- Call the provider and ask if the bill you received matches what is in their system.
- Ask for an itemized bill
- See if the hospital or medical group offers financial assistance or a payment plan
If you need help with the dispute process, you can also contact a certified Community Health Worker to advocate for you on your behalf. The Kentucky Association of Community Health Workers keeps an updated list by county.
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