How to Write a Letter to Dispute Paying Too Much for Medical Expenses

Pat Palmer reports:
 
“If you’ve recently found yourself burdened with stacks and stacks of extremely high medical bills, you are probably worrying about how you are going to pay them…[S]ometimes even the smallest procedures or the shortest hospital stays can cause a financial burden. However, you should never let the accumulation of medical debt, or even bankruptcy, become an option. By writing a medical bill dispute letter, you can begin to resolve some of the issues that make your medical bills seem so impossible. Savings will come when you establish the fact that nothing is impossible[,] not even disputing your medical bills…Learning how to craft the perfect medical bill dispute letter can begin to ease some of these financial troubles immediately. Without a doubt, medical bills can be confusing…Most often, patients pay their medical bills in full simply because they don’t feel there’s another option. However, even before writing your medical bill dispute letter, it’s important to understand that most bills contain many errors. Some of the most common mistakes found on medical bills include clerical errors, duplicate charges, billing for procedures that were never performed, and charges for medications you never received. Without carefully evaluating the detailed itemized statement you receive from your provider, you may pass over these mistakes, and end up paying far more money than you should have. If there is an item on your detailed itemized statement you feel you may not have received or was unnecessary to your diagnosis, request a copy of your medical records to verify if this test or procedure was performed and/or ordered. Simply call the medical record department of the hospital or provider and state that you want the medical records pertaining to the days you were under care. After analyzing your bills and deciding which charges you’d like to dispute, it’s now time to create your medical bill dispute letter. This written notice will be the first step in fighting these disputed charges. Be sure to write the letter as soon as possible and to provide essential details like your account information, details on the charges you’re disputing, and a statement that explains why they are being disputed. Provide any supporting documentation that may be available along with your letter. This medical bill dispute letter will help your hospital or doctor understand why you feel these charges aren’t your responsibility. Therefore, make sure to write your letter in a clear, detailed, thoughtful manner…After sending your medical bill dispute letter on its way, it’s important to remain patient…If you face resistance in the beginning, don’t give up. Countless Americans have successfully disputed their medical bills, often enlisting the help of a medical billing advocate. There’s simply no reason you can’t count yourself among them.”