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 Ohio, as in many states, unexpected medical bills can pose a significant financial challenge. To mitigate this risk, individuals are encouraged to maintain health insurance, personal savings, and a health care savings account such as a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). When faced with a large hospital bill, Ohio residents should act quickly to address the bill by reviewing it for accuracy, negotiating payment terms, and exploring financial assistance options. Many Ohio hospitals offer interest-free payment plans, prompt payment discounts, and financial assistance programs for eligible patients. It's crucial to communicate with the healthcare provider or billing department to prevent the debt from being transferred to a collection agency, which could negatively impact credit scores. Additionally, Ohio's laws provide some protections against aggressive debt collection practices, and patients have the right to request an itemized bill and dispute any inaccuracies. Proactive management of medical bills can help Ohioans avoid damage to their credit scores and maintain financial stability.