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 South Dakota, as in many states, it's crucial to be proactive in managing medical bills to avoid negative impacts on one's credit score. Health insurance, personal savings, and health care savings accounts are key tools for financial preparedness against unexpected medical expenses. When faced with a large hospital bill, South Dakota residents should act quickly to address the bill, negotiate payment plans, seek discounts for prompt payments, and explore financial assistance programs offered by medical facilities. Taking these steps can help prevent medical debt from being transferred to collection agencies and reported to credit bureaus, which can damage credit scores. It's important to note that while these are general best practices, specific protections and regulations regarding medical debt can vary, and residents may benefit from consulting with an attorney for guidance tailored to their individual situation.