How to Dispute Medical Billing Errors
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Medical billing errors are very common. Hospitals and doctors make mistakes.
Check your bill for errors. You can always fight charges that are wrong.
How do I get an itemized bill?
An itemized bill shows every charge in detail. It lists:
- Each service you received
- Each medication you got
- Each test or procedure
- The cost of each item
- The billing codes, sometimes referred to as “CPT Codes”
You have the right to request an itemized bill. Just ask for it. Call the hospital billing office. Say: "I want an itemized bill for my account."
They have to give it to you and should send it within a few weeks.
What should I look for?
When you get your itemized bill, check for these common errors:
- Duplicate charges: Did they charge you twice for the same thing? This happens often.
- Services you didn't get: Did they charge you for a test or medication you never received?
- Wrong quantities: Did they say you got 3 of something when you only got 1?
- Incorrect dates: Were you even in the hospital on the dates they charged you for?
- Upcoding: Did they charge you for a more expensive service than what you actually got?
- Mystery charges: Are there charges you don't understand or can't identify?
If you find any of these problems, you can dispute them.
How do I dispute a charge?
Follow these steps:
Write down the errors
Make a list of every charge you think is wrong. For each error, write:
- What the charge is for
- Why you think it's wrong
- What it should be instead
Be specific. Use the codes and descriptions from the itemized bill.
Call the billing office
Call the hospital billing office. Explain what you found.
Sometimes they will fix simple errors over the phone. Other times, they will tell you to send a written dispute
Send a written dispute
Write a letter disputing the charges. Your letter should say:
- Your name and account number
- Which charges you are disputing
- Why each charge is wrong
- What you want them to do
You can also download and print a template letter.
Send the letter by certified mail. This gives you proof they received it.
Keep a copy of your letter and all your documents.
Follow up
Call to make sure they received your letter. Ask when you will get a response.
If you don't hear back in a few weeks, call again.
What if they won't fix the error?
If the hospital won't fix the billing error, you have options:
Ask for a supervisor.
Sometimes a higher-level person can help when the billing department won't.
Get help from a patient advocate.
Some hospitals have patient advocates who can help resolve billing disputes. Ask if your hospital has one.
File a complaint with the hospital.
Most hospitals have a patient complaint or grievance process. Ask how to file a formal complaint.
Contact legal aid.
If the error is large or the hospital won't respond, legal aid might be able to help.
Can I dispute a medical debt on my credit report?
Yes. In Virginia, medical providers and collection agencies trying to collect on a medical debt are not allowed to report medical debt to the consumer reporting agencies. This is true whether you apply for financial assistance or not.
If you believe that a medical provider or collection agency reported a medical debt to the consumer reporting agencies after July 1, 2024, you should report it to the consumer reporting agency and tell them to remove it from your credit. You should also contact legal aid if eligible, or a NACA consumer attorney.
If you paid for a medical bill with a credit card (or any other form of payment), it is no longer considered a medical debt. That means it can and will likely be reported to the credit bureaus.
If a medical debt on your credit report is wrong or not yours, you can dispute it. Learn more about how to dispute a mistake on your credit report.
- If the credit bureau doesn't fix the mistake, contact an attorney. Attorneys who handle these cases are called FCRA or ECOA attorneys. You can find them through NACA’s (National Association of Consumer Advocates) Attorney Directory. Under “area of practice,” select “Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA)” from the drop-down menu.
Things to remember
Get an itemized bill. Don't just accept the summary bill. Ask for every detail.
Check it carefully. Errors are very common. Don't assume the bill is correct.
Dispute in writing. Phone calls are good, but also send a letter. Keep proof.
Act quickly. Don't wait months to dispute. Do it as soon as you find the error.
Keep everything. Save all bills, letters, and notes about phone calls.
You can dispute and apply for financial assistance at the same time. Do both if needed.
Get help if you need it. Patient advocates and legal aid can help with billing disputes.