How do I negotiate a hospital bill?

Ask for the itemized statement if you only have a one-page total. Circle anything billed twice, anything that did not happen, and any visit level that feels richer than the care you received. Then call the billing office and ask for a reduction of those lines, not a vague discount.

Follow the call with a letter. Hospitals lose phone notes. A written dispute sits on the account. See the full process or upload the bill if you want the first pass done for you.