How do ask for a discount for a medical bill?

Question

Do you just call the # on the bill and say can I have a 10% discount, or do you have to start crying, or how does it work.

Answer 1

This on insurance dot com:

"Negotiate a discount with your health-care provider
Many people don't realize that you can sometimes negotiate to lower your medical bills. While it may not always work, it doesn't hurt to ask your doctor, hospital, or pharmacy if they're willing to come down in price. Before you begin to negotiate, do a little research to find out what other health-care providers in your area are charging. You can also ask your health-care provider if they'll lower their price if you pay in cash up front."

Answer 2

If I were you, I would have question the doctor or the receptionist but it's probably because you step-dad has some type of insurance/medi-care and he's paying only co-pay. This is one of the chain reaction problems started with our culture being lawsuit happy. The easier lawsuit is awarded (in big $), the higher malpractice insurance doctors have to pay. Then, guess what, doctors demand more money for services they provide -> health insurance sky rocket -> mass consumers ended up with super high cost healthcare. I'm not saying doctors should not be responsible if they do things wrong but there should definately be some law that tighten up involving around lawsuit, judgement, and lawyers' fee. The funny thing is that we are in this presidential race season and universal healthcare is one of the majority topic but not one candidate wants to tackle this real problem.

Answer 3

Call the hospital and ask to speak to someone in the financial department. If you aren't insured, explain this to them and ask if you can set up a payment arrangement. If you are unemployed along with being uninsured, most hospitals have a charity program where you can apply to have up to half of your bill paid for you.

Also, a word of advice ... the hospital can not technically turn you over to a collection agency or report you to the credit bureau as long as you are paying SOMETHING on your bill. If you can't afford anything else, send them $5 a month.

Answer 4

there are sometimes discounts for "cash" patients. doesn't hurt to ask. But if it's a financial burden, they're usually very willing to work with you. Their only other option is to badger you until you pay or file BK. A lesser percent of the total bill is better then 100% of ZERO.

Answer 5

If you're short on money, just tell them the truth. Tell them you want to pay them, but you can only do so in small increments at a time. As for a discount just for the sake of getting a discount, don't count on it.

Answer 6

Ask them if they have a self pay price. I've had my bills cut up to 35% when I asked. Sometimes they only give you a discount if you pay in full. But it never hurts to ask.

Answer 7

Its really a negotiation.
Remind them how much they contract with the insurance company and ask/demand to pay that SAME amount.

I'm not good at this, but my dad is and he always gets a discount.

Answer 8

Well I don't have insurance and ask if I can get a discount. Sometimes I get it. But I still pay more then the insurance company does.

Answer 9

Call the doctor's office and ask to speak to his/her nurse. Explain the situation. Don't say what % you want off. They may cut your bill by more that way.

Answer 10

Move to Canada... I can't even begin to imagine paying medical bills