When you or a loved one is sick or injured, the focus is on getting well. Chances are, you’re not thinking about the cost of a particular specialist, treatment, test or drug. But when the medical bills start rolling in, it’s common to feel shocked and overwhelmed—especially when you’re still dealing with the emotional and physical toll of an injury or illness. Even in the best of circumstances, medical bills are difficult to understand. Here’s some guidance to help you navigate them.

Unlike mortgages, car loans and credit card debt, most people have little choice when incurring medical debt. Illnesses or injuries tend to be unexpected, and treatment is crucial to recovery. Cost is rarely discussed.

In addition, medical bills can be confusing. They include codes and terminology that make it difficult to determine what you’re being billed for, whether it’s covered by insurance and how much you owe.  Often, there are billing errors.

Some people are so overwhelmed by medical bills that they don’t even open them. Or they may simply pay them without thorough review. But considering the high error rate on these bills, it’s worth your time to organize and analyze them. Follow these steps:

If you think there’s a mistake in a medical bill, it pays to speak up. A recent study in JAMA Health Forum found that billing errors were corrected for almost three-quarters of people who challenged them. Start by calling the provider and explaining what you’ve found. If you receive a revised bill, double-check that the correction was made. If the provider isn’t helpful, call your insurance company. Document all conversations, including names and dates, and follow up if necessary.

Likewise, if your insurance company denies a claim, you can appeal it. The procedure for filing an appeal is in the EOB and on the insurance company’s website. Ask why the claim was denied. You may just need the provider to use a different code to be covered.

Another option is the emerging world of AI-powered platforms designed to quickly generate custom insurance appeal letters. The platforms thoroughly comb through insurance policies to determine specific terms and provide data and research-driven information about drug and test efficacy to support your appeal. Costs for these services vary. Some operate on a cost-per-claim model, some via subscription and others for free. It’s important to prioritize safety and security when sharing sensitive medical information with unsecured platforms.

Medical debt tends to have more repayment flexibility than other kinds of debt. There’s often room for negotiation, and many providers offer financial assistance. Call your provider and insurance company to find out what your options are, and keep detailed notes of all conversations. If you don’t have insurance, check to see if you qualify for Medicaid, a government program that provides health coverage for people with lower incomes. Other options for dealing with your bill include:

Advocates can help you navigate the healthcare system — including treatments, bills and financial aid. If you’re a caregiver or patient who’s struggling to understand and manage your care, you may want to use an advocate. Many hospitals and large health systems, as well as some insurance companies and employers, make advocates available at no charge. The nonprofit Patient Advocate Foundation provides free advocates to people with chronic or life-threatening conditions. You can also search online for independent advocates who charge for their services. When choosing an advocate, consider:

• What do you most need help with, and is the person an expert in that area?

• What are their credentials and experience?

• What do they charge?

• How many clients do they typically have at any given time?

• Do they have references or reviews from clients?

• How will they communicate with you—in person or virtually?

• Don’t let a stack of medical bills remain unopened or intimidate you into inaction. Unpaid bills won’t go away and could eventually end up with debt collectors and damage your credit. If it feels like too much to manage, ask a family member, friend, medical provider, insurer, employer or patient advocate for help.

• Don’t pay a bill without reviewing it for errors and making sure your insurance company has paid its share.

• Avoid paying with a credit card unless you plan to pay off the card in full. If you must carry a balance, you’ll be better off setting up a no- or low-interest payment plan with the provider than loading a high-interest credit card with debt.

Congress and federal regulators have taken steps to help consumers deal with medical debt. Key protections include:

This law protects you from unexpected medical bills. It says emergency care must be covered—regardless of whether a provider or facility is in your insurance network or you got authorization from your insurer before seeking care.

The law also applies to nonemergency care. It limits what you owe providers who aren’t in your insurance network but who are working in a hospital or other facility that is. These surprise bills could be for services like anesthesiology, radiology or laboratory tests.

If you don’t have health insurance, the No Surprises Act entitles you to receive a “good faith” estimate of the cost of care. If the billed amount is at least $400 more than the estimate, you may be able to dispute the charge. Your provider should automatically send you an estimate after you schedule care. You can also ask for an estimate before making an appointment. In both cases, you should receive the estimate within three days. Emergency care and treatments fewer than three days away are not eligible for estimates.

This law, enacted in 1978, protects consumers from abusive, unfair and deceptive debt collection practices. Consumers have the right to dispute the debt, tell collectors to stop calling and ask the collector to verify that the debt is valid. The law applies to third-party debt collectors, not medical providers.