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 New Hampshire, it is wise to be financially prepared for unexpected medical expenses through health insurance, personal savings, and health care savings accounts. When faced with significant medical bills, it's crucial to act quickly. New Hampshire residents should negotiate payment plans directly with healthcare providers, as many hospitals offer interest-free plans or prompt payment discounts. Additionally, patients may qualify for financial assistance programs that hospitals provide. Taking these steps can help prevent medical debts from being transferred to collection agencies, which could negatively impact credit scores. It's important to note that under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), medical debts cannot be reported to credit bureaus until they have been delinquent for at least 180 days, providing a window to address the debt. Furthermore, the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act provides certain protections against unfair or deceptive business practices, which can include aspects of medical billing and debt collection.