 TITLE: How to Get Help Paying Medical Bills CONTENT: Request and Closely Review an Itemized Bill\n-------------------------------------------\nMedical bills and insurance statements can be confusing to read, but a close analysis could save you money.\nYour insurance company may send you an explanation of benefits (EOB), which is an initial report of what your insurance covers—not a bill. You may even get several EOBs for different appointments or procedures. Separately, the health care provider may send you a bill for costs that your insurance doesn't cover, including deductibles or copays. Before you get your bill, you might request a line item estimate of service costs, and if the bill you do get isn't detailed, you can request an itemized bill.\n(As an aside, don't ignore EOBs or bills if you haven't received services; that may be a sign that you're a victim of medical identity theft.)\nClosely review all the documents for errors, such as double billing, procedures or equipment that weren't done or used, incorrect times for operating rooms, and charges that your insurance should cover. Also, double-check that the EOB matches the bills you receive.\nMedical billing is complicated, and mistakes happen. Catching and reporting the mistake to the medical provider's billing department or your insurance company can help you avoid overpaying. END