4 Ways To Get Help With Your Medical Bills In Florida

A recent study shows that about 20% of all Floridians have unpaid medical debts averaging $400 per person. Fortunately, residents can turn to several federal, state, local, and NGO programs that seek to offer access to affordable healthcare and can help with medical bills in Florida.

This article is a comprehensive guide on where and how you can find help paying off your medical bills in Florida. The guide includes DIY solutions and automated solutions such as DoNotPay (DNP).

Understanding Your Medical Bill

It helps to understand every charge on your bill before endeavoring to clear it. While medical bills vary in format and styling depending on the healthcare facility and services provided, they all feature certain aspects in common. Some of the most important entries to understand include

• Statement Date – The date when the bill was printed.
• Service Dates – The dates when different medical services were rendered.
• Insurance Payments – The amount already paid by your health insurance company.
• Billed Charges – The total amounts billed to you and your health insurance company.
• Patient Payment – The amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket after deducting insurance payments.
• A description of the services offered and the supplies used.
• Amount Due – Your outstanding balance that you owe the healthcare provider.

Some medical bills can prove too complex to understand on your own. In this case, it is advisable to ask the hospital to provide a simplified version of the bill or explain what the different entries mean.

Checking for Errors in Your Medical Bill

Errors in your medical bill can add to the total cost by hundreds of thousands of dollars. As such, it is important to check for errors in your bill by doing the following:

1. Request an itemized bill detailing each charge and fee and countercheck with the services rendered and the hospital's billing policy.
2. Compare the bill to the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) provided by your health insurance company.
3. Crosscheck every entry on the bill for duplicate charges.
4. Crosscheck for canceled services.

Understandably, a medical bill can be complex to read. As such, it is advisable to see help from the hospital's customer support department or a professional.

Organizations That Can Help With Medical Bills in Florida

As explained, Floridians can find help with their medical bills from several government-funded and NGO grants and programs. Here is an overview of some of the most notable ones available across the state:

How to Ask For an Extension Date for Your Medical Bill

Most hospitals will agree to extend your bill's due date if you can provide a valid reason for the delayed payment and a reliable payment plan. You can do this by writing to the hospital explaining your situation and spelling out the payment plan – ensure that you attach all related documents. The hospital will not automatically agree to the request, so expect some negotiation.

DNP can help you ask for an extension on your bill's due date by crafting the letter on your behalf. Here is a sample letter from the platform:

How to Ask For a Waiver on Late Fees for Your Medical Bill

You can also request a waiver on late fees and other related charges on your unpaid medical bills by writing to the hospital. The process isn't different from requesting an extension, and DNP can write the letter on your behalf according to your unique situation.

How to Negotiate a Medical Bill by Yourself

You can also negotiate with the hospital to lower or forgive the medical bill. Your approach will depend on many factors. Some of the most common and efficient negotiation tactics include:

• Disputing charges that are covered by your health insurance provider.
• Applying for assistance programs such as Medicaid.
• Soliciting the services of a consumer rights advisor.
• Asking for discounts or extended repayment plans.

DNP can also help you negotiate to have your medical bill lowered or forgiven. The platform can also help you negotiate other types of bills, including

• Power bills
• Gas bills
• Internet bills
• Cellphone bills
• Electricity bills
• Lighting bills

The platform can serve in many capacities, including liaising with the company directly on your behalf or just handling the paperwork. Either way, DNP makes the process easier and quicker.

How to Find Help With Medical Bills in Florida Using DoNotPay

As explained, DNP can help you negotiate your medical bill in Florida. The platform does this in four quick and easy steps:

1. Go to the Negotiate Bills product on DoNotPay.

2. Choose whether you want us to call and negotiate your bill for you or send a bill negotiation letter on your behalf.

3. Provide the details that will help us negotiate your bill including the company name and how much your current plan costs.

4. Enter your contact information, including email, address, and phone number.

It is important to provide accurate information when submitting your request with DNP. The platform will keep you updated on your request's progress.

Why Use DoNotPay to Find Help With Medical Bills in Florida

Here is an overview of three compelling reasons why DNP is the right platform for negotiating your medical bills:

• DNP saves time as it has lots of experience navigating the system.
• DNP handles all the paperwork and can liaise directly with the hospital on your behalf, saving you a lot of work.
• DNP doesn't make mistakes and utilizes its vast resources to maximize the chances of finding help with your medical bills.

These are just some of the most notable benefits that DNP has to offer. The platform can also help you solve other problems related to or unrelated to your medical bills.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay offers a wide range of automated services, including

• Filing complaints
• Writing defamation demand letters
• Filing cases in small claims courts
• Communicating with an inmate
• Notarizing documents
• Claiming compensation from airlines
• Claiming compensation for victims of crime
• Searching sex offender registries
• Tracing and claiming missing money

DoNotPay is the leading provider of automated services. Visit the platform today to learn more about its services and how it works.