Health for Less
What to Do When You Get a Huge Medical Bill
Don't pay it yet. Request an itemized bill, check for errors, ask about charity care and negotiate — step by step.
Cut Your Bills
Health Care for Less
Cheaper prescriptions, low-cost clinics, charity care and how to fight a big medical bill.
Health care is one of the most confusing bills there is — and one of the most negotiable. Prices can vary widely between pharmacies, nonprofit hospitals are required to have financial assistance policies, and community health centers charge based on what you can pay.
This page isn’t medical advice. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before changing a medication.
Five ways to pay less for health care
Get covered
Check Medicaid, CHIP and Marketplace plans. Many people qualify for help they don’t know about.
Learn more →Use a health center
Community health centers offer medical, dental and behavioral care on a sliding fee scale.
Learn more →Shop your prescriptions
Compare discount card prices, generics, mail-order and patient assistance programs.
Learn more →Question big bills
Ask for an itemized bill, check for errors and apply for charity care before paying.
Learn more →Know your protections
The No Surprises Act protects you from many surprise out-of-network bills and gives uninsured patients the right to a Good Faith Estimate.
Learn more →Prescription savings
GoodRx FreeCompare cash prices and get free discount coupons at local pharmacies.goodrx.com ↗Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company PaidOnline pharmacy with transparent pricing on many generic medications.costplusdrugs.com ↗NeedyMeds NonprofitNonprofit database of patient assistance programs, free clinics and a drug discount card.needymeds.org ↗RxAssist FreeDirectory of drug manufacturer patient assistance programs.rxassist.org ↗Medicine Assistance Tool (PhRMA) FreeSearch for manufacturer assistance programs for brand-name medicines.medicineassistancetool.org ↗Medicare Extra Help GovHelps people with Medicare and limited income pay Part D drug costs.ssa.gov ↗SingleCare FreeAnother free prescription discount card — compare it with GoodRx for your medication.singlecare.com ↗
Low-cost care & bill help
Find a Health Center (HRSA) GovFederally funded health centers with sliding-scale fees.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov ↗HealthCare.gov GovMarketplace coverage and savings based on income.healthcare.gov ↗Medicaid.gov GovFree or low-cost coverage for eligible people; apply any time.medicaid.gov ↗InsureKidsNow.gov GovFree or low-cost coverage for kids and teens through Medicaid and CHIP.insurekidsnow.gov ↗Dollar For NonprofitFree help applying for hospital charity care.dollarfor.org ↗CMS No Surprises GovYour rights against surprise medical bills, and how to dispute one.cms.gov ↗National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics NonprofitFind free and charitable clinics near you.nafcclinics.org ↗Patient Advocate Foundation NonprofitFree case management for people with chronic or serious illness facing bills or insurance problems.patientadvocate.org ↗988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline FreeFree, confidential 24/7 support by call or text at 988.988lifeline.org ↗
Got a huge medical bill? Do this before paying
Don’t panic — and don’t pay yet
You usually have some time. Ask the provider to hold the account while you review it.
Get an itemized bill
Look for duplicate charges, services you didn’t receive and items your insurance should have covered.
Compare to your EOB
Match the bill against your insurer’s Explanation of Benefits. Call the insurer about anything denied.
Apply for financial assistance
Nonprofit hospitals are required to have financial assistance policies. Ask for the application — even if you think you earn too much.
Negotiate what’s left
Ask for a prompt-pay discount or an interest-free payment plan you can afford. Use our hospital bill script.
Everyday health savings
- Ask your doctor for a generic or a lower-cost alternative, and whether a 90-day supply would be cheaper.
- Compare the discount card price with your insurance copay — sometimes the cash price is lower.
- Use urgent care or telehealth instead of the ER for non-emergencies.
- Dental schools and community health centers often offer lower-cost dental care.
- Many preventive services are covered at no cost under most insurance plans.
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