Before you pay that medical bill, check these five things.

1. Is the bill yours and is it accurate?

Request an itemized bill. Check the patient, service dates, procedures, duplicate charges and any payments already made. If a charge does not look right, ask the billing office to explain it and record the dispute.

2. Has insurance finished its work?

Compare the provider bill with the explanation of benefits. An explanation of benefits is not itself a bill. Check network treatment, denials and whether a claim needs correction or an appeal.

Ask the insurer and provider about unresolved differences and any applicable appeal deadlines. Keep copies of the responses.

3. Is assistance available?

Ask the hospital or provider for its financial assistance policy and application, even if you have insurance. Nonprofit hospitals have financial-assistance obligations, but eligibility and documentation requirements vary.

Ask whether collection can be paused while your application is reviewed. Get the answer in writing rather than assuming a pause applies.

4. What are the payment terms?

If a balance remains, ask the provider about an affordable payment arrangement and whether interest or fees apply. A medical credit card or financing product can introduce deferred interest or other terms that differ from paying the provider.

5. Would an advocate help?

Complex insurance or billing issues may justify a patient advocate. Compare their experience, specific work, fee structure and cancellation terms. Do not pay for a guaranteed reduction without understanding the conditions.

Keep medical bills separate from other debts while you work through these checks. A billing correction or assistance award is a different route from consumer debt settlement.