How do I ask for an itemized hospital bill?

Short answer: call the hospital's billing office, or write to it, and ask for an itemized bill. An itemized bill lists each charge separately, usually with the date, a billing code, a quantity and a price.Source: hospitalbillchecker.com/your-rights, section 1

Steps

1. Find the billing office's phone number or address. It's usually printed on your statement.
2. Ask for "an itemized bill" for your dates of service. Note who you spoke with and the date.
3. Know what the law says.
   • State law varies. Some states require hospitals to give an itemized bill on request and set a deadline; others don't. Ask even if your state doesn't require it.
   • Federal health privacy rules give you a right to access your own health information, including billing records. A provider generally must respond within 30 days, with one possible 30-day extension.
   Source: hospitalbillchecker.com/your-rights, section 1 (state law; federal health privacy rules)
4. If it's a family member's bill, the hospital may need their signed permission form, or proof that you're their legal representative.Source: hospitalbillchecker.com/your-rights, section 1
5. Keep a copy of the bill when it arrives.

Next step

When you have the itemized bill, a scan can flag possible issues to ask the billing office about.