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 Illinois, it's crucial to be financially prepared for unexpected medical expenses. This typically involves maintaining health insurance, personal savings, and possibly a health care savings account. When faced with substantial medical bills, Illinois residents should act quickly to address the debt. They can negotiate an interest-free payment plan with the healthcare provider, inquire about prompt payment discounts, and apply for financial assistance programs that many hospitals offer. Taking these steps can help prevent medical debt from being transferred to a collection agency, which could lead to the debt being reported to credit bureaus and potentially harming an individual's credit score. It's important to note that Illinois has consumer protection laws that may provide additional rights and options for those dealing with medical debt. For instance, the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act can offer some level of protection against unfair practices by debt collectors.