The Clark Howard Podcast 01.05.25 How To Handle A Hospital Bill / Lower Power Costs
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Jan 5, 2026 Unravel the mystery of hospital bills and discover why an itemized statement is your best ally. Learn how AI and patient advocates can challenge and drastically lower costs. Dive into innovative energy-saving solutions, from reflective shingles to quick-install window heat pumps, designed to shrink your heating bill. Plus, uncover the sneaky tactics behind warranty solicitations and how marital status can affect your insurance premiums. Get ready to save money and become a savvy consumer!
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Always Get The Itemized Hospital Bill
- Request a full itemized hospital bill before paying any large medical charge.
- Use AI tools or hire a patient advocate to find billing errors and negotiate large reductions.
Clark's $5,800 30-Minute Test
- Clark shared a personal example of a 30-minute post-TAVR test that billed $5,800.
- He compared that to much lower costs if done at an outpatient center to illustrate outrageous hospital pricing.
AI Reveals Systemic Billing Inflation
- AI chatbots can rapidly spot anomalies in complex medical bills that humans miss.
- Widespread billing inflation raises costs for everyone, so challenging bills helps consumers and the system.