Harrisburg Unpaid Medical Bills Lawyer
An Atlantic article reports that an estimated 43 million Americans have unpaid medical debt. Furthermore, one in six Americans received a surprise out-of-network bill from a hospital visit even though they had insurance. If you or a loved one is drowning in debt from an unexpected medical bill when you thought insurance had you covered, it is time to come up with a solution. A knowledgeable Harrisburg unpaid medical bills lawyer can assist you with unpaid medical bills.
Common Unpaid Medical Bills
- Emergency hospital visit bills;
- Ambulance bills;
- Surgery bills;
- Out-of-state medical bills; and
- More.
Steps You Can Take If You Cannot Pay Your Medical Bills
Even if you have a good-paying job, medical bills can be astronomical and out of reach to pay off. If you find you are unable to pay a bill that arrives in the mail, it is important to look over the charges and make sure they seem accurate. Some bills might be charging for services you did not receive or have duplicate items on them. Taking these errors off the bill may reduce the price to a more manageable amount.
You can also call the hospital or medical provider that billed you and ask if there are any steps you can take to help pay the bill. Some hospitals may have hardship assistance for lower income patients or can help you come up with a reasonable payment plan. Alternatively, some medical providers will offer a cash discount if you can pay immediately or will allow you to pay the Medicaid discount rate.
If you feel overwhelmed by any of these tasks or need advice, seek help from an attorney who is well-versed in medical bills. An attorney can be an advocate, helping you decipher the bill’s line items, negotiate bills, and reduce some of the charges. Most importantly, an attorney will help you come up with a solution that will leave you feeling in control of the situation.
Why It is Important to Resolve Medical Bills Quickly
If you do not address unpaid medical bills, they will go to collections. At this point, your credit score will be impacted. This can hurt your ability to get a loan, such as a mortgage. The good news is that, according to Credit.com, most debts that go to collection remain on your credit score for seven years, but medical bills will be removed once the payment has been made or is being paid off by insurance.
A Harrisburg Attorney Can Help You Find a Path Out of Medical Debt
There is no shame if you are struggling to pay off medical bills. However, ignoring the issue will only compound your problems. You may incur late fees or have to deal with a third-party collections company who is trying to seek payment. Instead, reach out to the law office of Ira H. Weinstock, P.C. to learn how one of our skilled attorneys can help you negotiate with insurance and the medical provider. Contact our offices at 717-238-1657 to schedule a consultation today.
