What do you if your doctor holds medical records because of a outstanding balance?

1. Determine if the medical services were necessary and were actually received.

Sometimes medical providers submit bills for services that your insurance company does not believe were necessary. If this is the case, you may have a valid dispute against the medical provider.

Also review your insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to ensure the services were actually covered and received.

2. Contact your doctor's office and explain that you are unable to pay the outstanding balance in full.

Most doctor's offices are willing to work with patients to set up a payment plan that is affordable for them. Some may even have a policy in place for patients who cannot afford to pay their medical bills.

3. Ask your doctor's office for an itemized statement of your account.

This will show you exactly what you are being charged for and help you identify any potential errors.

4. Negotiate with your doctor's office to reduce the outstanding balance.

If you can come up with a lump sum payment, you may be able to negotiate a lower amount to settle the outstanding balance.

5. Apply for financial assistance or discounts.

If you are struggling to afford medical care, there are several programs that can help. These include Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance plans. You may also qualify for discounts or free care from your doctor's office or a nonprofit clinic.

6. Consider taking legal action.

If you believe that your doctor's office is unfairly holding your medical records, you may want to consider taking legal action. This could involve filing a complaint with your state's medical board or taking your doctor's office to court.