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Medical debt refers to the money owed for such things as a medical procedure or prescription medication. Many Americans, especially the uninsured, have medical debt resulting from an unexpected illness or injury.

Here are some tips for dealing with medical debt in the best possible way.

Negotiate

You can always attempt to negotiate the sticker price of medical bills. If you do not have medical insurance, ask about any discounts your healthcare facility provides. Many hospitals offer payment plans to those having trouble paying. Regardless of your insurance status, you can ask for an itemized bill to see exactly what the facility is charging you for.

Consider financial assistance

There are places that can help you with paying off medical bills. Ask your provider or hospital staff if they know of any organizations in your local area that provide this service. If that does not result in any leads, you can search online for medical financial assistance.

Avoid letting bills accumulate

As with any debt, you want to avoid letting medical bills pile up to the point where they become unmanageable. While you do not want to make rash decisions regarding payment, you do want to be aware of any interest that may be accruing on those bills. Attempt to pay off what you can, even if it is only a small amount.

The more you know about medical debt, the better able you are to potentially negotiate a lower payment amount, achieve better terms of payment, and avoid going into bankruptcy.