If your medical bills are piling, you have to deal with them rather than try to turn your head the other way. Not paying medical bills can put a big dent in your credit. And, bringing your credit score down isn’t going to do you any favors. Learn how to deal with your medical debt and turn a not so great situation into a manageable one.

Review Health Bills Carefully

Doctor offices, hospitals and even insurance companies can make mistakes. When you receive a bill from a hospital or other health care provider, read the bill carefully. Check for mistakes and accurateness. If you have a question about a charge or why a claim was not paid, then contact the health care provider and the insurance carrier.

Request a Discount

It is not common knowledge, but you can ask doctors and hospitals for a discount on their services. The best way to handle this is up-front before the service is rendered. This works especially well if you do not have health insurance. Even after the fact though, if you receive a bill you cannot afford to pay, call the doctor’s office or hospital. Ask for them to discount the bill amount due and to allow you to make monthly payments to pay off the debt.

Get the Agreement in Writing

When you make an arrangement with the health care provider to reduce the amount of the debt or make payment arrangements, obtain the agreement in writing. This ensures that the doctor or hospital sticks to their end of the agreement and it keeps you in line to stick to your end of the agreement as well. The most important thing about payment arrangements and agreements is that you pay the amount you say you will and when you say you will.