41% of patients use payment plans for medical expenses

A majority of patients have received a confusing medical bill, and many have received a bill they were unable to pay, according to Copatient’s 2016 State of Medical Bill Confusion survey.

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For the survey, Copatient polled more than 200 U.S. consumers.

Here are six survey findings.

1. About 72 percent of consumers said they have received a medical bill they didn’t understand.

2. About 92 percent of respondents reported getting a medical bill they believed was too expensive.

3. Thirty-six percent said they received a medical bill they were unable to pay, and 41 percent reported using a payment plan to fulfill a financial obligation.

4. About 53 percent said they have tried to negotiate a medical bill, and 38 percent reported successfully lowering the amount-owed.

5. Nearly 60 percent of respondents did not know the definition of balance billing.

6. Nearly 70 percent had not heard of the Affordable Care Act’s so-called Cadillac Tax.

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