Asking about financial assistance and payment plans
Options worth asking about when a balance is hard to pay.
Many hospitals, especially nonprofit ones, have a financial assistance (sometimes called charity care) policy. Eligibility rules differ, so ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
Most billing offices also offer payment plans. It's fine to ask what monthly amounts are possible and whether interest applies.
If you have an open question about the bill, you can ask the provider to put the account on hold while it's reviewed. Write down who agreed to this and when.
Have a bill and an EOB that don't match?
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Compare my bill and EOBMore guides
- How to read a medical bill
- Deductible, copay and coinsurance in plain English
- Why asking for an itemized statement helps
- What to do when a claim is denied
- All guides
Important: The Medical Bill Detective provides informational assistance based on the documents you provide. It does not provide medical, legal, insurance, or financial advice and does not determine whether a bill is legally valid, fraudulent, or incorrect. Potential discrepancies should be verified with your healthcare provider and/or insurance company.