Bills and coverage
Reading a medical bill against its explanation of benefits, and disputing a charge.
A medical bill and the explanation of benefits that came before it should tell the same story. When they do not, the first step is to read both line by line and ask questions before you pay anything you do not understand.
This section explains the parts of an explanation of benefits, why a bill can differ from it, and how to ask for an itemized bill. It also covers what to do when a claim is denied. Your plan's documents and your insurer decide what is covered, and these pages are general information.
Pages that cover this topic
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Step-by-step guide
How to read an explanation of benefits (EOB)
What each part of an explanation of benefits means, and how to check a provider's bill against it before you pay.
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Step-by-step guide
Appealing a denied health insurance claim
The general path for appealing a denied claim, from reading the denial letter to an internal appeal and then external review.
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Walk-through checklist
Prior authorization checklist for patients
A before, during and after checklist for getting an insurer's approval before a planned test, procedure or treatment.
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Try-it tool
Out-of-pocket estimator
Estimate what you may owe for one covered service. It is an estimate, and your EOB is what counts.