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When was the last time you took a close look at your medical bill? If you’re like most people, you probably didn’t—because who has the time or energy to decipher all those confusing codes and charges, right? However, doing so could save you a surprising amount of money.
It’s estimated that 80% of all medical bills are wrong—and here’s the kicker: they are probably not wrong in your favor. Medical providers are unlikely to forget to bill you for something you used. More often than not, billing errors involve overcharging or billing for services that weren’t even provided. So, what can you do? Ask for an itemized medical bill every single time.
What is an Itemized Medical Bill?
An itemized medical bill is a detailed breakdown of every service and procedure you were charged for during your visit. Instead of a lump sum or vague “service fee,” you’ll get a list of specific charges, such as medications, procedures, tests, and more. This transparency allows you to review each item and ensure that you’re being billed correctly.
Real-Life Example: How Asking Saved $2,000
Let’s take a look at a real-world example that highlights just how critical it is to ask for an itemized bill. In a video I recently shared, I showed an image of someone’s social media post that perfectly captures the importance of this:
“Received a bill from the hospital after the birth of our 2nd kid: $4,000. I asked for an itemized statement and found several things that didn’t apply, so I called them out on it. Just received an updated bill: $2,000. Not sure how some of this stuff is legal…”
This individual was initially charged $4,000, but after requesting an itemized statement, they discovered errors and unnecessary charges. By simply questioning the bill, they were able to cut their total cost in half—saving $2,000! Imagine how many people are unknowingly paying extra because they don’t ask for an itemized bill.
Why Are So Many Medical Bills Wrong?
There are a few reasons why so many medical bills contain errors:
- Human Error: Billing departments are busy, and mistakes happen. Coding errors, mischarges, and typos can lead to inflated costs.
- Duplicate Charges: Sometimes you may be charged twice for the same procedure or service.
- Upcoding: This is when a more expensive procedure is billed in place of the one you actually received.
- Unnecessary Services: In some cases, bills may include services or tests that were never performed.
Without an itemized bill, these mistakes remain hidden, and you end up paying more than necessary.
How to Handle Medical Billing Mistakes
Once you receive your itemized medical bill, review it carefully. Compare the charges to the services you actually received. If you find an error or something doesn’t seem right:
✅ Contact the billing department – Politely request a correction.
✅ Check your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) – Ensure it matches what your provider billed.
✅ Follow up – Don’t hesitate to push back if adjustments aren’t made.
Taking these steps could save you a significant amount of money—so don’t just assume your bill is correct!
UPDATE: Do you know how to request an itemized bill and what to look for when reviewing it? I created another blog post and video to cover all the essential details to show you how to spot errors, negotiate charges, and fight back against unfair medical bills here: How to Fight Medical Bills: The Power of Itemized Medical Bills.
Don’t blindly trust that your medical bill is accurate—because in 80% of cases, it isn’t. As we saw with the hospital birth example, you could end up saving thousands of dollars.
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