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 Connecticut, it's crucial to be financially prepared for unexpected medical expenses. Having health insurance, personal savings, and a health care savings account can help mitigate the impact of significant medical bills. When faced with a large hospital bill, Connecticut residents should act quickly to address the bill, negotiate an interest-free payment plan, inquire about prompt payment discounts, and apply for financial assistance from the hospital if needed. Taking these steps can help prevent medical debt from being transferred to a debt collection agency, which could lead to it being reported to credit bureaus and potentially harming your credit score. It's important to note that while these are general good practices, specific protections and options available may vary based on individual circumstances and the policies of the healthcare provider.