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John,
If you've ever opened a medical bill and felt more confused than informed, you're not alone. Medical bills can be notoriously complex, full of buzzwords, jargon and figures.
Even worse, they're often simply wrong.
A recent survey found that 43% of American adults believe they've received a medical or dental bill they believed was erroneous.[1]
But many patients simply don't have the time, resources or knowledge to dispute those bills. Instead, they end up paying money they don't even owe.
This is especially true for people already dealing with health concerns. The last thing they need is to be dragged into a confusing and messy billing battle between hospitals, insurers and collections departments.
Doctors and hospitals can send out incorrect bills for a number of reasons. Maybe the wrong billing code was used. Maybe the insurer just hadn't processed the claim yet. Or maybe a charge slipped through that the insurance company was supposed to deny.
Whatever the cause, the effect is the same -- patients left worrying about bills they shouldn't have to pay.
This isn't a rare problem, and it's not a small one either.
A simple mistake on your bill can end up costing you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.[2] Worse, if it goes unresolved, that incorrect bill can snowball into stress, annoying collection calls or even damage to your credit score.[3]
That's why we've created two new consumer guides to help people navigate their medical bills with more confidence and know-how, be they accurate or not.
* "You found a mistake on your medical bill. Here's what to do": This guide explains some of the most common billing errors and what to do when you find yourself facing one. It includes instructions for checking your bill against your insurance documents, writing an effective dispute letter and what to expect once you've challenged the charge.
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* "How to understand a medical bill and explanation of benefits (EOB)": This guide takes some of the mystery out of the paperwork you receive after a doctor's visit. The guide breaks down each section of a bill, and explains the purpose of those often cryptic billing codes, showing you how to better understand the charges and spot when something doesn't add up.
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Both guides are designed to empower you with the practical tools you need to pay, dispute and track your medical bills.
We hope you use these guides wherever you feel overwhelmed or confused by medical paperwork. You can check them out on our website and use them the next time a questionable bill shows up in your mailbox.
At the same time, we know resources like these can only go so far, and patients shouldn't have to deal with this issue alone. That's why PIRG will continue working to improve transparency and accountability in the health care system.
Making health care easier to understand, less expensive and more fair starts with giving consumers the tools and support they need.
Thank you, and we hope you find these resources helpful,
The team at U.S. PIRG Education Fund
P.S. If you'd like to further support our crucial work to protect, educate and inform consumers about potential financial risks, consider donating today.
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1. Teresa Murray, "New consumer guides: The ABCs of EOBs and medical bills," PIRG, September 9, 2025.
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2. Teresa Murray, "You found a mistake on your medical bill. Here's what to do," U.S. PIRG Education Fund, September 10, 2025.
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3. Teresa Murray, "You found a mistake on your medical bill. Here's what to do," U.S. PIRG Education Fund, September 10, 2025.
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