How long to keep Medical bills?

The general rule is to keep medical bills for at least one year. This is the time frame required by most health insurance companies for filing claims and appeals. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

* If you are suing or being sued for medical malpractice, you should keep all medical bills related to the case until the lawsuit is resolved.

* If you are filing for bankruptcy, you should keep all medical bills for the past seven years.

* If you are applying for government benefits, such as Social Security disability or Medicare, you may need to keep medical bills for the past five years.

In general, it is a good idea to keep medical bills for at least one year, even if you do not think you will need them. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you have the documentation you need if you do need to file a claim or appeal.

Here are some tips for organizing and storing medical bills:

* Keep all medical bills in a designated file folder or accordion folder.

* Sort the bills by date or by provider.

* Label each file folder or accordion folder clearly so you can easily find the bills you need.

* Store medical bills in a safe place where they will not be damaged or lost.

* Electronic copies of medical bills can be stored on your computer or in the cloud. Be sure to back up your files regularly.