Kimberly Palmer: How to handle your medical bills
By KIMBERLY PALMER of NerdWallet
Medical bills can quickly become overwhelming, but consumers often have more power than they might think when it comes to navigating them. Recent changes to how medical debt is reported by credit bureaus also help. The first step is always to closely check bills for errors and to ask your provider if you are eligible for any financial assistance programs, which many hospitals offer. If you need additional help, billing advocates and the employee benefits contact at your workplace can also assist. Finally, try to prepare for future bills by building up emergency savings and shopping around for in-network providers.
