SPECIAL REPORT: Health Care Costs

We all know how expensive health care can get and managing those costs can be a challenge. Nine on Your Side did some searching on the problem. We found there are resources out there that can help guide you through the health care maze.

"A lot of times the mistakes they make they don't ask for help. And there's nothing wrong with asking for help."

Denethia Smith is a financial counselor at ECU Physicians.

She and her fellow counselors work with about 11,500 patients a year, helping patients manage their medical finances.

"I always tell my patients; regardless to what facility you owe, always call them and talk to them about your bill because there's always something there to help."

Smith helps patients find resources to pay their bills and sets them up on a payment plan.

She says when it comes to managing medical bills, there are a number of mistakes patients can avoid.

First off all, Smith says don't wait until you have a large balance to start paying your bill.

Second, when a doctor asks you to come in for a follow-up visit, go.

Preventive care cuts costs.

"He tells you to come back for a reason because in three months it may be something that could be prevented versus you waiting a whole year. So if you come back in three months your bill may be $90. But if you wait a year, you're going to have additional things done so it might be $200 and that's when we can cut the cost of medical care."

Next, Smith says read your medical bills not once, but multiple times.

Sometimes duplicate charges appear and you should point them out.

And be careful in choosing how you pay your bills.

"If you're gonna pay for your bill with your credit card then the next month pay the credit card off."

Credit card payments can accumulate interest and Smith says you don't want to have to owe too much to too many people.

Remember, after you've received treatment, don't wait for the bill to arrive to start thinking about paying it.

Call as soon as you can to see how much the treatment is going to cost you.

"The financial counselors, we are always there to help."

If you have issues with what you've been charged on your bills, financial counselors like Smith can put you in touch with medical billing advocates who can negotiate your bills. For more information on that and other assistance programs in the east, just check out the links below.

Financial Counselors at ECU: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/ecuphysicians/patient-care/patient-info.cfm

Medical Billing Advocates: http://www.billadvocates.com/