Medical Bill Checklist
Before you pay that medical bill, let's check it together.
Answer five simple yes-or-no questions. We'll help you spot the warning signs before you send a single dollar.
Plain language
No confusing billing codes or jargon.
Clear next step
Know exactly what to do when you finish.
Step 1 of 5
Patient Information
Let's start with the basics. Check that this bill is actually describing you.
Is your name correct?
Is your date of birth correct?
Is the billing provider correct?
Does this bill belong to you?
Answer each question above to continue.
Step 2 of 5
Visit Information
Next, let's confirm the details of the visit itself.
Is the date of service correct?
Is the type of visit correct (e.g. office visit, ER, telehealth)?
Is the location or facility correct?
Answer each question above to continue.
Step 3 of 5
Charges
Now let's look at what you're actually being charged for.
Do all the charges match services you actually received?
Do you see any duplicate charges for the same service?
Were you charged for something you were told would be free or included?
Answer each question above to continue.
Step 4 of 5
Insurance
Insurance questions depend on where you're located — pick your country to continue.
Which country is this bill from?
United States · EOB Questions
Have you received an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) from your insurer?
Does the amount billed match the "patient responsibility" (the amount you may owe) listed on your EOB?
Has your insurance finished processing this claim?
Canada · Provincial Coverage Questions
Is this service covered by your provincial health plan?
Have you received a statement from your provincial health authority?
Is this bill for a service not covered by your province (e.g. a private clinic)?
Choose your country above, then answer the questions that appear.
Step 5 of 5
Payment
Last step — a few questions about how you're being asked to pay.
Does the bill include a clear due date?
Is a payment plan option available?
Are you being asked to pay before insurance has finished processing the claim?
Answer each question above to finish up.
Your Result
Looks Good
Nothing in your answers points to a problem with this bill.
Recommended action
Pay this bill before its due date.
What we noticed
We didn't find anything that needs a closer look right now.
Part of the Medical Bill Hub — a free resource from The Patient Insider.
Medical bills are confusing on purpose or at least, it can feel that way. Codes instead of plain descriptions, charges that don't match what you remember happening at your visit, due dates arriving before your insurance has even finished processing the claim. It's no surprise most people either pay without really understanding what they're paying for, or set the bill aside and worry about it later.
The **Medical Bill Checklist** is a free tool from The Patient Insider that helps you figure out which one of those you actually need to do.Answer five short yes-or-no questions about your bill covering the patient details, the visit itself, the charges, your insurance, and how you're being asked to pay. It takes about two minutes. Based on your answers, you'll land on one of three clear outcomes: **Looks Good**, **Needs Review**, or **Possible Billing Problems** each with a plain-language explanation and a specific next step, not just a score.
This tool doesn't diagnose your bill or tell you definitively whether it's right or wrong; no online tool honestly can. What it does is help you spot the specific things worth double-checking, so that when you do call your provider or insurer, you know exactly what to ask. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere; it all stays in your browser for this one session.Ready when you are, answer the five questions below to get started.