Most consumers don't challenge or negotiate the medical bills they receive, but the majority of those who do are successful in getting the disputed charges reduced or removed, according to a March 21 survey from Akasa, a revenue cycle firm that uses artificial intelligence.
More than 2,000 Americans were asked if they ever had experience challenging a bill from their physician, hospital or insurance company. YouGov conducted the survey commissioned by Akasa from March 9-14, 2022.
Five things to know:
1. Sixty-four percent of consumers surveyed said they have never challenged the validity or accuracy of a medical bill.
2. Of those who did challenge the bill, 78 percent successfully had the disputed charges reduced or removed.
3. Those with high-deductible health plans (45 percent) and Medicare Advantage (43 percent) were more likely to challenge medical bills than those with other types of health plans.
4. Seventy-eight percent of uninsured patients surveyed said they never challenged a medical bill.
5. Twenty-seven percent of those who challenged medical bills said it took between one to three months to resolve; 18 percent said it took between three to six months; and 16 percent said it took longer than six months.