Significant medical bills can come at any age and when least expected. It is important to be financially responsible and prepared for unexpected medical bills. This generally means having health insurance, personal savings, and a health care savings account. The credit scores of 2 in 5 Americans are negatively affected by medical bills, and one in six credit reports contains a medical debt.

If you do receive a big hospital bill, you should (1) address it promptly; (2) work out an interest-free payment plan if necessary; (3) ask for a prompt payment discount; and (4) apply for financial assistance from the hospital, if necessary. By taking these steps, you will be more likely to prevent your medical debt from being sent to a third-party debt collection agency, having it reported to credit bureaus, and damaging your credit score.

In Arizona, as in many states, unexpected medical bills can pose a significant financial challenge. To mitigate the impact of such expenses, it is advisable for individuals to maintain health insurance coverage, personal savings, and consider a health care savings account like a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). When faced with a large hospital bill, Arizona residents should act quickly to address the debt. Negotiating an interest-free payment plan with the provider can offer a manageable way to pay off the bill over time. Additionally, asking for a prompt payment discount or applying for financial assistance programs offered by the hospital can reduce the overall burden. Taking these steps can help prevent medical debt from being transferred to a collection agency, which could report the debt to credit bureaus and negatively affect credit scores. It's important to note that while these are general good practices, specific protections and options available may vary depending on the healthcare provider's policies and any applicable state laws or regulations.