Medical billing errors are surprisingly common. Studies estimate that a significant percentage of medical bills contain errors. Here's how to identify and dispute them.
Common billing errors
- Duplicate charges: The same service billed twice
- Services not received: Charges for tests or procedures you didn't have
- Incorrect coding: Wrong billing codes that result in higher charges
- Upcoding: A more expensive service code than what was actually performed
- Cancelled services: Charges for services that were cancelled or rescheduled
Tip: Always request an itemized bill. You can't dispute what you can't see.
Steps to dispute
- Request an itemized bill from the provider
- Review each line item against your records
- Identify specific charges that are wrong
- Write a dispute letter referencing each incorrect charge
- Mail certified with return receipt
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.