Help Paying Medical Bills for Students

For students struggling to pay tuition and work while going to school full time, medical bills can be a heavy burden. This is particularly true if the student is one of the 45.7 million uninsured Americans, the number the U.S. Census Bureau found in 2007. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to ease the burden of medical bills.

Payment Plans

• Many doctors and hospitals will allow you to make small monthly payments if you cannot pay your bill all at once, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. It is important to note that many payment plans will charge interest while others will not. Keep in touch with your creditors, record the names and phone numbers of the people you are dealing with, and document your telephone calls and payments. This will help prevent disputes down the road. Moreover, it is important that you pay something, even if it is a small amount, every month. This will show your good faith and keep creditors from hassling you.

Charity Hospitals and Clinics

• Many hospitals have programs that pay all or part of the cost of care for those who cannot afford it. Additionally, many colleges and universities are associated with health clinics that provide free care to enrolled students. Often, the care is provided by licensed doctors, but it may also be provided by medical students under the supervision of licensed doctors. To find out if your school is associated with a health clinic, contact the school's human resources or financial aid department.

Scholarships

• Many organizations help students who have a serious medical condition or disease to pay tuition to attend college. For example, the Anne Ford Scholarship for College-Bound Students with Learning Disabilities is a national scholarship which provides up to $10,000 to eligible students. By obtaining a scholarship, students can direct more of their financial resources to their medical bills (see Resources).

School Health Insurance

• Many colleges and universities offer health insurance at a lower cost than you would pay through a private insurer. For example, the University of Pittsburgh joined with the University if Pittsburgh Medical Center to offer comprehensive and affordable student health insurance. Contact your school's financial aid department to find out if a similar plan is available for you.