Medical debt is often seen as a personal failure, so you might feel ashamed of it. But you’re not alone. There’s an estimated $140 billion in medical debt that Americans owe.
Still, having accumulated medical debt and no way to pay it on time can have serious consequences. You may skip doctor’s appointments, tests, treatments, and prescription medications. You may struggle to pay other bills, damage your credit, or even go bankrupt.
If you’re struggling to pay back your medical debt in Boardman, OH, read on to discover some helpful tips:
How to Pay Medical Debt in Boardman
Rather than ignoring healthcare bills, be proactive when they pile up. Most medical debt tips in Boardman, OH can help you minimize the effect of your bills on your finances, health, and future.
#1: Make sure there are no errors in your bills
Review your insurer’s explanation of benefits as soon as you get them. Look for duplicate items, services you didn’t get, services you don’t recognize, and charges your insurance should cover. Make sure your insurance has paid your healthcare providers correctly. If you don’t understand anything, call your insurance company or your provider’s billing department.#2: Get a better deal on your bill
The person who actually has the authority to lower your bill is your healthcare provider’s medical billing manager. Once you get your bill and verify its accuracy, talk to someone. Request hardship assistance if you have low income or are experiencing financial hardship — even if it’s entirely due to your medical bills. Depending on your income and savings, you might qualify for hospital charity care. Let your providers know as soon as your bills arrive if medical problems have affected your income.#3: Get rid of some belongings
Sometimes paying off medical debt involves selling some belongings you can part with. Look around your home and see what items you can sell via a garage sale you can advertise to your Boardman neighbors. If your debt keeps piling up, you might have to go of luxury items like jewelry and collectibles. The worst-case scenario is that you might to sell your car or your Boardman house. You want to sell fast, so consider selling to a cash home buyer who offers a quick sale and allows you to pay off your debt as soon as possible.#4: Be your own advocate.
Ask the healthcare provider if you can pay a portion of your debt right away and the rest can be written off. Providers will save time and money if they don’t have to chase you for months or years to get paid. Try asking for a 25% discount if you make a large down payment now if you can’t pay even a percentage of your full bill right now. Asking if Medicare or Medicaid will pay the discounted fee is also a less aggressive strategy. Ask about a zero-interest payment plan if you can’t get a reduced payment. Get the terms in writing from your provider so you can get back to them if they don’t comply with your agreement.#5: Get outside help
Medical billing isn’t something most people are familiar with navigating. Enlist the help of a medical caseworker, debt negotiator, or medical billing advocate. They might be able to reduce what you owe if you’re too scared to negotiate yourself. Insurance agents, nurses, lawyers, and healthcare administrators can help you figure out your bills and lower them. They’ll check for errors, negotiate bills, and appeal excessive charges. You can also talk to a caseworker at your hospital or insurance company if you need help understanding your bills. Caseworkers can refer you to charities, churches, community organizations, and government agencies that can help. The US healthcare system is inequitable, and few people can be sure they won’t face a medical problem beyond their insurance coverage. Make sure your medical bills are accurate, negotiate for lower charges, and know your rights when it comes to medical debt collection.Sell Your House Fast for Cash
Looking for a quick, easy way to get cash fast to pay off your medical debt? You can consider selling your property to us, where we offer our clients fair cash offers in 72 hours or less.
Access Homebuyers makes the house selling process easier, faster, and more painless for homeowners like you. We buy houses in Boardman, OH, and we’re ready to give a fair cash offer for anyone willing to sell their home. When we buy your home directly to you, we’ll buy it as-is. You don’t have to fix anything.
Get cash for your house today. For inquiries about how we do business, give us a call at (330) 708-7077.