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 Wisconsin, 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, Wisconsin residents 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, which can negatively impact credit scores. While Wisconsin law does not specifically mandate hospitals to offer financial assistance, many hospitals have policies to assist patients with financial hardships. It's important to communicate with healthcare providers and understand the available options to manage medical debt effectively.