Understanding Medical Bills
Medical paperwork can be confusing—here’s a quick guide to the three most common documents:
Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
Sent by your insurance company after a claim is processed.
Shows date of service, provider, services, what insurance paid, and what you may owe.
Available in your insurer’s portal or by request.
Itemized Bill
Detailed list of charges from your provider.
Breaks down costs for tests, procedures, meds, and visits.
Request from your provider’s billing department if not provided.
Provider Bill
A payment request mailed directly from your provider.
Usually a simple statement with service description, date, and total amount due.
Tip: Review all documents carefully, ask questions if something doesn’t look right, and track your expenses to avoid errors.