Significant medical bills can come at any age and when least expected. It is important to be financially responsible and prepared for unexpected medical bills. This generally means having health insurance, personal savings, and a health care savings account. The credit scores of 2 in 5 Americans are negatively affected by medical bills, and one in six credit reports contains a medical debt.

If you do receive a big hospital bill, you should (1) address it promptly; (2) work out an interest-free payment plan if necessary; (3) ask for a prompt payment discount; and (4) apply for financial assistance from the hospital, if necessary. By taking these steps, you will be more likely to prevent your medical debt from being sent to a third-party debt collection agency, having it reported to credit bureaus, and damaging your credit score.

In Texas, it is wise to be financially prepared for unexpected medical bills through health insurance, personal savings, and a health care savings account. When faced with a large hospital bill, Texas residents should act quickly to address the bill. They can negotiate an interest-free payment plan with the medical provider, inquire about a prompt payment discount, and apply for financial assistance programs that many hospitals offer. Taking these steps can help prevent medical debt from being transferred to a debt collection agency, which could lead to the debt being reported to credit bureaus and potentially harming the individual's credit score. It's important to note that Texas has consumer protection laws that may provide additional rights and options for individuals dealing with medical debt. For instance, the Texas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act provides Texans with certain protections against abusive debt collection practices.