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 Oregon, it is wise to be financially prepared for unexpected medical expenses through health insurance, personal savings, and a health care savings account. When faced with significant medical bills, Oregonians should act quickly to address the bill, negotiate payment plans, seek discounts, and apply for hospital financial assistance to avoid the debt being transferred to a collection agency and impacting their credit score. Oregon law provides some protections against aggressive debt collection practices and requires hospitals to offer financial assistance to eligible patients. It's important to understand your rights and the available resources to manage medical debt effectively.