The fiery debate about healthcare charges within the U.S. has been ongoing for as long as we can remember. Though we are a powerhouse among nations, there are many other places in the world where a person can visit their doctor without worrying over how much the bill is going to be… and how they’re going to foot it.

The average American, on the other hand, has to try their hand at fortune-telling to predict what sort of medical emergencies might crop up. If they get sick or injured, they have to budget every nickel and dime before they can allow themselves to seek help, so they know they’ll have enough for the bill.

Sadly, statistics show that these costs are only going to increase.

Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) performed an in-depth study on healthcare charges and insurance claims over a 10-year period, from 2008-2017. What they found was a startling uptick in medical charges. They found that such costs had nearly doubled in that time-frame, with a 175% increase and the average trip to the ER squeezing out $1,400 each visit.

Unfortunately, most average Americans don’t have a spare $1,400 lying around to pay it. Not to mention the looming costs of follow-up care visits with their GP later down the road. They have to save every penny they can and pray their needs aren’t more than what they can afford.

Thankfully, one woman recently shared a tip in a TikTok video about how she drastically cut her hospital bill with one simple step; ask for an Itemized bill.

Broooooo I went to the ER a while ago and got a huge bill over 1,000. I saw a tiktok stating that if you ask for an itemized bill they reduce it and so I called and asked for 1 and just got it and bitch I don’t owe shit now 😭

— ehvuh (@the_heva) December 28, 2019

The TikTok user, @shaunnaburns3, shared her secret tip, telling users that it didn’t matter who they were or what their financial situation. If you have a bill from the emergency room, you can and should, ask for an itemized bill.

This is the Tiktok I saw! I don’t really know if it works for other things but it doesn’t hurt to try! pic.twitter.com/LXXJm4jkYp

— ehvuh (@the_heva) December 29, 2019

The reason you want to see the bill itemized is so you can see exactly what items and services you’re being charged for, and by how much.

Generally, a hospital will just send out a bill detailing the total of what you owe, short and sweet. By asking them to itemize it, you’re forcing them to put a pair of eyes on each item, and that’s when they often “discover” they have either overcharged or even charged for services and treatments that were never dispensed in the first place.

When you discover that you’ve been charged $37 dollars for a bandaid, as Shaunna mentioned, or charged 4 times for a new visit to the ER every time you had to leave the room and come back, as one user, it can make a huge difference in what you actually owe.

Yup! Did this for two different surgeries. Suddenly my balance was magically paid in full both times.

— Bren ⛄❄️🏳️‍🌈 (@RadBren13) December 30, 2019

It’s not that the hospital is necessarily trying to gouge you, per se. Just your insurance company.

Since hospitals normally charge insurance companies they’ll go out of their way to charge for the smallest things such as napkins so itemizing it takes off the extra charges that weren’t really necessary

— Naomie🌻 (@SweetnSalty1771) December 30, 2019

The really great news is that after Shaunna’s TikTok video went viral, others started testing it out for themselves and it actually worked for them, too!

This is the unicorn of “hacks” being shared across the internet. As more and more people try it, they’re finding their bills are being reduced to a fraction of the price, and even often being cut down to nothing. So, the next time you visit the ER, whether you have insurance or not, it’s definitely worth asking them to itemize the bill.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

H/T: Relieved