Tips empower patients to navigate complex medical bills, assert consumer rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
JAN. 20, 2026
CONTACT:
Jack Cardinal, Community Catalyst, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org
Patricia Kelmar, Sr. Director of Health Care Campaigns, U.S. PIRG,  (609) 651-7654, pkelmar@pirg.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With a sharp increase in the cost of health insurance premiums, millions of Americans had some tough decisions to make about what coverage to buy during the recently completed open enrollment period. Many people or their employers switched plans, seeking more affordable options for 2026. Even if they kept the same insurance company, the benefits may have changed. To help consumers get high-value health care worth what they pay, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Community Catalyst have updated their helpful guide: Medical Bills: Everything You Need to Know About Your Rights.

“At Community Catalyst, we hear every day from people struggling with confusing, inaccurate and unaffordable medical bills. This often means weighing food on the table against the care they need to live healthy, productive lives,” said Michelle Sternthal, Community Catalyst’s interim senior director of policy and strategy. “This guide gives people the knowledge to fight back as our organizations work to fix the system that drives high costs and build the power of people and communities to protect themselves from unnecessary financial harm.”

The authors of the updated guide recommend these first steps to take in 2026. The user-friendly new guide also covers more details and other key topics:

  1. Understand your network. Even if you have the same health plan, you’ll want to make sure your favorite providers are in-network in 2026. If you have a new plan, you might need to spend some time finding new doctors that will let you take advantage of lower costs of in-network plans. For any appointments you’ve already scheduled for 2026, call those offices to check that they are in-network for your plan. (And while you’re at it, set up your annual physical and screenings. You’ll be glad you did!)
  2. Check your medical transportation benefits. Be clear on what your co-pay and co-insurance are for ambulance rides. In addition, see if you have coverage for non-emergency transportation. With more hospitals closing their specialty units, more patients need transportation to get to a second hospital that offers cardiac, stroke or other specialty treatment. If it’s not urgent that you get to the second hospital, it’s considered “non-emergency.” Many people don’t realize their health insurance policy doesn’t cover those rides.
  3. Request your free credit report to fix any mistakes. The three major credit bureaus promised they won’t include several types of medical bills on Americans’ credit reports, including any new medical bills (less than a year old), any medical bills under $500, or any medical bills you’ve fully paid. In addition, several states have enacted prohibitions on credit reporting of medical debt. Report any errors if you see them. The guide gives you step-by-step instructions about how to check your credit report and dispute these mistakes or other inaccurate items.
  4. If you have any scheduled hospital care for 2026, check for your hospital’s financial assistance policy. With prices rising, many people will need help paying their medical bills. Take a moment to look up the application for your hospital’s financial assistance policy and gather the documents you need. Apply early. 
  5. Beware of medical credit cards and other untraditional payment options. These products often have high interest rates after the promotional period, so patients can end up paying much more than their original medical bill. 

“It’s tempting to put off these simple steps, but staying on top of your health benefits could end up saving you hundreds or thousands of dollars,” said Patricia Kelmar, senior director of health care campaigns for U.S. PIRG Education Fund. “The medical billing system shouldn’t be and doesn’t need to be this complex. However, it is. We hear from so many people burdened with medical bills, so we recommend patients bookmark the online guide to keep handy for other billing rights information they might need.”

Community Catalyst and the U.S. PIRG Education Fund are among a growing network of local, state and national organizations that work to bring down health care costs and ensure that people are at the center of decisions that impact their health care.

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About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for race equity and health justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit http://www.communitycatalyst.org.

About U.S. PIRG Education Fund
U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization, conducts research, policy analysis and public education projects. We spotlight the problems that affect consumers’ health, safety and well-being, advance practical solutions, and promote dialogue about how to elevate the quality of our lives over the quantity of “stuff” we consume.