In situations of medical emergencies, the focus of most people is on getting help and improving their health. The last thing in mind is how to settle the medical bills. Reality sets in when bills start accumulating after your medical issue is taken care of. Medical bills accumulate so quickly that what happened in seconds can take years to repay. Here are several ways you can utilize to settle your medical needs.
1. Health insurance
Obtaining a health insurance cover will take care of your medical bills in the event of a medical need. Accidents and illnesses are inevitable, and therefore it is essential to have an insurance cover to take care of your unplanned medical bills, which can be thousands of dollars. The amount of money you save each month by not paying for health insurance cannot equate the hefty amount of money you will pay in case of health emergencies. In emergencies, your insurance provider will reduce the initial price of your bills or, depending on the cover, pay all your bills. For top-tier coverage, we recommend to check out this article on PPO health insurance plans.
2. Negotiate payment
Health care providers can reduce your medical bills though they will not wholly scrap it off. When having trouble paying your medical bills, call your healthcare providers, and request them to get rid of your bills or reduce it. Be straightforward and explain your situation and your inability to pay the amount billed. Most medical providers are non-profit organizations and, in certain circumstances, may help you. It is advisable to pay a reduced bill immediately if you have enough money on hand. You can also provide information outlining your income; if they consider it low enough, they may reduce or eliminate your total debt.
3. Relying on natural herbs and plant supplements
Plants supplements are usually available at a cheaper cost than other medicinal means of handling diseases and conditions. In case the cost of hospital bills is high, herbal medicines may help you resolve your challenges without seeking debts or any special assistance like a fundraiser. There are many cost-friendly herbal supplements and complements, which may help you solve problems such as blood pressure, weight loss, and infertility, among other conditions.
However, before you settle for a medicinal supplement, it’s always advisable to review the products. With trusted reviews, you will definitely make a smart decision considering that you live a busy life, and you can’t spend all the time investigating the best products. You can rely on herbs such as Saw palmetto plant, cider vinegar products, and CBD oil. These herbal products are readily available and suitable for solving multiple medicinal complications.
4. Fundraising sites
There are several fundraising sites online that you can set up to clear your medical bills. Post your story on the site so that people learn your situation. Your story should be crafted sincerely and compellingly for people to have a reason to donate to you. Each site attracts different amounts of charges, go for a pocket-friendly site. If your story stands outs, you will attract enough donations to cater for all your medical needs.
5. Payment plan
On occasions that your medical providers cannot reduce the bill, request them for payment plans. You can be offered low-interest payments or zero-interest payment plans, which will reduce the actual amount in the long run. Also, it will help you spread the payments according to your budget. A mutually agreed payment plan will reduce the chances of your provider handing you over to collection agencies. Always try settling a certain percentage of the bill balance every month; this will make your provider hold on until the debt is cleared.
6. Church
When facing substantial medical emergencies, reaching out to your church members for help won’t hurt. The church may organize a fundraiser that can cater to all your bills, if not possible, some of your medical needs. If your church has a wide reach, the church members can help rally the community to team up more contributions towards your medical bills.
7. Filing for bankruptcy
In situations where you are unable to negotiate a repayment plan with medical providers or the collection agencies, filing for bankruptcy is the best option. It will prevent your creditors from initiating a collection suit, which can end up digging all your pay and lead to more financial difficulties. Depending on the type of bankruptcy filed, medical debt can be discharged or significantly reduced. It is essential to discuss the different options available with a non-profit counseling agency before opting for medical bankruptcy.
Reaching out to suitable sources for help is not enough; follow up is essential in ensuring you have provided all necessary information to get assistance. Always put your health first to avoid attracting medical issues that require thousands of money.