Stop Waiting for the Bill: Plan Ahead and Feel Less Stressed

You go to the doctor. Weeks later, an envelope shows up. Your stomach drops. How much is it? Can I pay it? Sound familiar? Many people feel this way about medical bills. But there's a better way than waiting and worrying.

Why medical bills feel so stressful

• You don't know the price ahead of time. Most things you buy have a price tag. Health care often doesn't.

• The bill comes later. By the time it arrives, you may have forgotten the visit.

• The amount can be a surprise. Even with insurance, you might owe more than you expected.

When money and health mix, worry can grow fast.

Flip the script: plan before, not after

Instead of reacting to bills, you can get ahead of them. Here's how.

1. Know your numbers. Learn your deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum. When you know how your plan works, bills make more sense.

2. Ask before you go. Before a test or procedure, ask your doctor's office or insurance, "About how much will I owe?" You have a right to ask.

3. Save a little every month. Set aside money in an HSA, FSA or savings account. You can use your Rhythm in your Financial Health Wallet to guide you, and open an HSA through the wallet if you’re eligible. Then when a bill comes, the money is already waiting.

4. Have a plan for the big stuff. Know your out-of-pocket max, and work toward saving it over time.

5. Check every bill. Mistakes happen. Compare each bill to your insurance's Explanation of Benefits (EOB) before you pay.

Meet Carmen

Carmen used to dread opening her mail. Every medical bill felt like a punch. So she made a change. She learned her plan's numbers. She started putting $100 a month into her HSA. Now, when a $350 bill shows up, she just pays it from her HSA.

"I still don't love getting bills," Carmen says. "But they don't scare me anymore. I know I'm ready."

Small steps count

You don't have to save thousands right away. Even $20 a paycheck adds up to over $500 a year. The goal isn't perfect. It's prepared.

Key takeaways

• Medical bills feel stressful because they're unknown and they come later.

• Know your plan's numbers, ask about costs ahead of time and save a little each month.

• When the money is already set aside, a bill is just a bill, not a crisis.