Negotiate Your Medical Bill: The Script That Cut Mine 73%

Medical bills are negotiable. Nobody tells you this clearly enough. So I'm telling you: NEGOTIATE YOUR MEDICAL BILLS.

I had an $8,400 bill from an emergency room visit. Insurance covered some, but I still owed $8,400. That's more than I had. Here's what I did.

First, I waited. Don't pay immediately. I know that sounds backwards, but hospitals expect negotiation. Paying right away removes all your leverage.

Second, I called billing (not collections - this is before it goes to collections). I asked for an itemized bill. Everything they charged, line by line. This is important because errors are common.

Found two things I was charged for but didn't receive. A "consultation" with a doctor I never saw. Some medical supply I wasn't given. Pointed these out, got $600 removed immediately.

Then I used this script: "I want to pay this bill, but I genuinely cannot afford the full amount. What financial assistance programs do you have?" This exact wording. They have programs they won't mention unless you ask.

The hospital sent me a financial assistance application. I filled it out with my income, expenses, and bank statements. Qualified for a 65% reduction because my income was under 4 times the federal poverty level.

My $7,800 (after the $600 error correction) became $2,730. Then I asked about a cash payment discount. They offered 20% off if I paid within 30 days. That's another $546 off.

Final bill: $2,184. I paid it over 3 months interest-free. Went from $8,400 to $2,184. That's 73% reduction.

Key things: Be polite but persistent. Ask about financial assistance first. Then ask about cash discounts. Get everything in writing. Don't accept the first number.

Most hospitals would rather get something than nothing. Collections agencies buy debts for pennies on the dollar. You're offering more than that. Use that leverage.

This doesn't work for everyone - depends on your income, the hospital, and your situation. But it costs nothing to ask. Worst case? They say no and you pay what you would've paid anyway.