Medical Bill Dispute
No Surprises Act dispute letter for a surprise out-of-network bill
For ER visits and out-of-network doctors at in-network hospitals: a letter citing the law, and the Help Desk complaint if they don't fix it.
First result free. per result, 3 revisions included.
Medbillo drafts letters from the information you give; it isn't legal or medical advice and doesn't contact providers or insurers for you. Federal and state rules differ; for large bills or legal action, talk to a patient advocate or attorney.
Who it's for
- "I went to an in-network ER and got a $2,800 bill from an out-of-network doctor."
- "The hospital bill is $11,000 and it's one line. I don't know what I'm paying for."
- "I was uninsured and got a Good Faith Estimate of $1,200. The bill is $2,900."
- "My bill went to collections while my insurer was still processing the claim."
Why people use Medbillo
Medical bills in the US are often wrong - duplicate charges, services you didn't get, the wrong billing codes, out-of-network charges you're legally protected from - and almost nobody checks. Hospitals send a summary bill with one big number, insurers send an Explanation of Benefits nobody understands, and the bill goes to collections while you're still trying to work out what it's for. Medbillo tells you which protections apply to your bill and writes the letters that use them: a request for the itemized bill and codes, a dispute of specific errors, a No Surprises Act complaint for surprise out-of-network bills, a Good Faith Estimate dispute if you were uninsured or self-pay and the bill is $400 or more over the estimate, a financial assistance (charity care) application for nonprofit hospitals, and a negotiation script for a discount or an interest-free payment plan. Each with deadlines and what to say on the phone.
- ✓ Figures out which protections apply: No Surprises Act, Good Faith Estimate dispute, nonprofit hospital financial assistance, insurer appeals
- ✓ Itemized bill request with billing codes (CPT/HCPCS, revenue codes) - the first step to finding errors
- ✓ Dispute letters for specific errors: duplicates, services not received, upcoding, unbundling, wrong patient or dates
- ✓ No Surprises Act letter for surprise out-of-network bills from emergency care or at in-network facilities
- ✓ Financial assistance application letter and the questions to ask nonprofit hospitals
- ✓ Negotiation script for a self-pay discount or a 0% payment plan, and how to stop collections while you dispute
How it works
- 1Fill in a few details (or click 'Fill with an example').
- 2Click Generate - your result appears in seconds.
- 3Copy it, print it or save as PDF. Edit anything you like.
Medbillo vs the alternatives
| Medbillo | Calling the billing office | Patient advocates | Doing nothing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knows which law applies | Yes | Rarely told | Yes | - |
| Letters ready to send | Yes | No | Yes | - |
| Deadlines tracked | Yes | No | Yes | Collections |
| Price | 1 free a day, then $4 | Free, slow | Often a share of savings or hourly | The full bill |
Get your Medbillo result
One payment, no subscription. Includes 3 revisions with "Refine this result".
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Frequently asked questions
Does the No Surprises Act cover my bill?
It covers emergency care (including at out-of-network ERs), non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at an in-network hospital or surgery center - like anesthesiologists and radiologists - and air ambulances. In those cases you owe only your in-network cost-sharing. Ground ambulance isn't covered federally, though some states protect you.
How do I get an itemized bill?
Ask the provider's billing office, in writing, for an itemized statement with the CPT/HCPCS and revenue codes and the date of each service. Compare it line by line with your insurer's EOB. The letter does this for you.
What if I was uninsured and the bill is higher than the estimate?
If the bill is at least $400 more than the Good Faith Estimate from that provider, you can start the federal patient-provider dispute resolution process within 120 days of the bill. The provider can't send the bill to collections while the dispute is open.
Can I get charity care?
Nonprofit hospitals must have a financial assistance policy and accept applications for at least 240 days after the first bill after discharge. Eligibility depends on income and the hospital's policy; many people above the poverty line still qualify for a discount.
Will a medical bill hurt my credit?
The three credit bureaus don't report paid medical collections or medical collections under $500, and they wait a year before reporting new medical collections. Dispute errors in writing and ask the provider to hold the account while you do.
What does it cost?
Your first set of letters each day is free. After that, $4 buys one case with 3 revisions. No subscription.