Before you pay it, check it.
Written for everyday people.
No medical knowledge required.
A plain-English workbook and companion resources that walk you through your bill one step at a time, so you know what to question before you pay.
Built using publicly available consumer guidance, including CFPB and CMS resources.
This is an illustrative example only. It is not a typical or guaranteed result — outcomes depend on your specific bill and provider.
The amount does not match what you thought insurance covered. The line items are confusing. You do not know whether the bill is wrong — only that you want to understand it before paying.
Each tool has one job and leads to the next. No billing codes to decode, no guessing what to do first.
Medical Bill Companion (PDF, 14 pages)
The main guide — plain-English, step by step, from "what am I looking at" to your one concrete next action. About 20 minutes with a pen.
Bill Comparison Spreadsheet
Excel-compatible (opens in Google Sheets too) — line up your bill and your insurance statement side by side.
Call Log (PDF)
Track every phone call about your bill — date, who, what they said, next step.
Before You Pay (PDF)
A one-page recap you can reuse on any future bill, without redoing the full workbook.
Financial Assistance Guide (PDF)
Plain-English look at payment plans, hardship programs, and charity care.
Payment Plan Guide (PDF)
Deeper guidance if you specifically want a payment plan — what to ask and weigh before agreeing to one.
Important Phone Numbers (PDF)
One place to keep every contact connected to this bill.
FAQ (PDF)
Quick answers to common questions left over after using the workbook.
This is the complete Medical Bill Companion — one organized download: the workbook, the companion resources above, and the spreadsheet, delivered as printable PDFs plus one Excel-compatible file.
Get Medical Bill Companion
Receive your download instantly
Work through Medical Bill Companion first
Medical Bill Companion is built using publicly available consumer guidance, including:
Medical Bill Companion — the workbook, six companion resources, and a comparison spreadsheet, delivered as an instant download.
Instant digital download. Not medical, legal, insurance, or financial advice.
How do I get Medical Bill Companion?
Purchase it below and you'll receive an instant download — no waiting.
What's included?
The 14-page Medical Bill Companion workbook plus six Companion Resources (Call Log, Before You Pay, Financial Assistance Guide, Payment Plan Guide, Important Phone Numbers, and FAQ) and a Bill Comparison spreadsheet — printable PDFs plus one Excel-compatible file.
Will this reduce my bill?
There is no guarantee. Medical Bill Companion is designed to help you find mismatches, ask clear questions, and request financial assistance where it exists. The outcome depends on your specific bill and provider.
Do I need to understand medical billing codes?
No. Medical Bill Companion is designed so you never need to interpret a billing code — you'll be comparing dollar amounts and asking plain questions.
Will this work if I do not have insurance?
Yes. Medical Bill Companion covers both cases. If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket, you may be able to dispute a bill that comes in well above your Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act — eligibility, dollar thresholds, and deadlines apply and can change, so the toolkit points you to current federal guidance rather than fixed numbers.
Is this medical or legal advice?
No. It is an organizational and educational resource based on public consumer guidance. For anything beyond organizing your paperwork and asking questions, talk to a licensed professional.