Over 50% of hospital bills contain coding errors, duplicate charges, or unapplied insurance adjustments. Learning to audit and negotiate medical debt can save thousands of dollars.
Step 1: Request an Itemized Bill with CPT Codes
Never pay a summary invoice. Demand an itemized statement detailing every Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code to identify inflated medication fees and duplicate laboratory charges.
Step 2: Apply for IRS 501(r) Financial Assistance
Under federal tax law, all non-profit hospitals must maintain Financial Assistance Policies (FAPs) providing free or heavily discounted care to households earning up to 200%–400% of the Federal Poverty Level.