I recently had a hospital stay that left me with bills I cannot afford. What can I do to help with my medical bills?

Many Americans are dealing with medical debt, including those who have health insurance. The good news is there are ways to help reduce your bills or make the debt more manageable. Here are some steps that can help.

Check Your Bills

Medical billing errors are more common than you might think, so start by taking a close look at every bill and explanation of benefits that you receive. Review the bills for duplicate charges, services you did not receive or charges that are more expensive than expected.

If something does not look right, call your medical provider’s billing office and ask for an itemized bill. Do not be shy about asking questions. Even small mistakes in billing entries can add up to significant amounts.

Ask About Help

Many hospitals, especially nonprofit ones, are required to offer financial assistance programs, often called charity care. Depending on your income, you may qualify to have part or all of your bill forgiven. The best option is to call the hospital billing office and ask specifically what financial assistance they offer. You can also visit DollarFor.org, a nonprofit that helps patients apply for charity care programs at no cost.

Negotiate Costs

If you do not qualify for assistance, you still have other options available. Many hospitals and healthcare providers are willing to work with patients, especially if you reach out soon after receiving the bill.

After explaining your circumstances, ask if they would be willing to lower your bill or offer you a discount if you pay a portion upfront. You may also consider requesting a no-interest payment plan to spread the cost over time. If this feels overwhelming, a medical billing advocate may help. Online directories and search tools are available to help you find qualified advocates in your area. These advocates can review your bills, explain your charges and assist with negotiations on your behalf.

Find Programs

It is also worth checking whether you qualify for Medicaid, especially if your income has dropped. You can apply through Healthcare.gov or your state Medicaid office. Another helpful tool is BenefitsCheckUp.org, from the National Council on Aging, which can point you to programs that help lower health care and prescription costs.

Get Support

You do not have to handle this on your own. There are several trusted organizations that offer free or low-cost help. The Patient Advocate Foundation, located online at patientadvocate.org, provides case management services and may help you find financial assistance. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org) offers credit counseling and guidance on managing debt. You can also visit NeedyMeds.org to locate programs that can help lower the cost of prescriptions and other medical expenses.

The most important thing is to act sooner rather than later. Ignoring medical bills can lead to collections and additional stress, but many providers are willing to discuss payment options if you reach out. Begin by reviewing your bills and researching assistance programs and payment options. By staying proactive and exploring your options, you can often reduce what you owe and set up a plan that fits your budget. Medical debt is common even among people who have insurance. However, it is possible to find resources to help you through it and negotiate your bills.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.