Bill Pushback / Wrong charges

Dispute charges on a medical bill

List each charge that looks wrong and why. The letter asks the billing office to review, correct and hold the account.

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[Your name]
[Your mailing address]

[Today's date]

[Billing office name]
[Billing office address]

Re: Dispute of charges. Patient: [Patient name]. Account: [Account number]. Date of service: [Date of service].

To the billing office:

I have reviewed the itemized bill for the account above, and I dispute the following charges:

[List each charge: its date, code, amount and why it is wrong (billed twice, not received, wrong code, should have gone to insurance)]

Please review these charges, correct the bill, and send me a corrected itemized bill. If you believe a charge is correct, please explain it in writing and send the records that support it.

Please place this account on hold, and do not send it to a collection agency, while this dispute is open.

Thank you,

[Your name]

General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Ask a lawyer before acting on it.

Common billing errors

  • Billed twice: the same code on the same date on two lines.
  • Not received: a test, drug or supply you didn't get.
  • Wrong level: a visit coded as more complex than it was.
  • Should have gone to insurance: your EOB shows a different amount you owe.

No itemized bill yet? Ask for it first; you need line items to dispute.

Three pages of the Medical Bill Fight Kit: its cover, the order of steps and the first call scripts

For the phone calls

The Medical Bill Fight Kit

A 9-page PDF you print: the order of steps, word-for-word call scripts for the billing office, your insurer, financial assistance and a collection agency, five letters with blanks (the three free ones here, plus a financial assistance request and a payment agreement confirmation) and a call and mail log.

$9 Buy the kit

If the file doesn't work or isn't what this page describes, write to us within 14 days for a full refund.

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