Jennifer's daughter had her tonsils removed. Simple, routine surgery. The bill arrived two weeks later: $18,000. Jennifer nearly fainted. Then she looked closer. The itemized bill showed charges for an appendectomy—a completely different surgery her daughter never had. One phone call to the billing department, and the bill dropped to $3,200.

That's an extreme example, but billing errors are shockingly common. Studies show that up to 80% of medical bills contain at least one mistake. We're not talking about small rounding errors. These mistakes can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to what you owe.

The good news? Most billing errors follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for, you can spot them before you pay. Today, you're going to learn the five most common medical billing mistakes—and exactly how to catch them on your own bills.

The Problem

Medical billing involves multiple people entering data across multiple systems. Your doctor's office submits a claim. The insurance company processes it. A billing company generates your invoice. At every step, there's a human being typing codes, copying numbers, and clicking buttons.

And humans make mistakes.

Think of medical billing like a game of telephone played through three different computer systems. Your doctor says "blood test." The medical coder hears "comprehensive panel." The billing system records "full metabolic workup." Suddenly, a $45 test becomes a $300 charge.

But here's the thing: when billing errors happen, they almost never work in your favor. You don't accidentally get charged too little. The mistakes always seem to go one direction—up.

This isn't always intentional fraud. Sometimes it's sloppy data entry. Sometimes it's outdated software. Sometimes it's understaffed billing departments working too fast. But regardless of why it happens, you're the one who pays the price if you don't catch it.

The healthcare billing system isn't designed to double-check itself. Nobody is looking out for your wallet except you. That's why knowing these five common errors is so important—you're about to become your own financial watchdog.

The Five Most Common Billing Errors

Error #1: Duplicate Charges

What it is: Getting charged twice (or more) for the same service, test, or medication.

This is the most common billing error, and it's usually not fraud—it's just sloppy bookkeeping. Someone clicks "submit" twice in the billing system. Or your lab results get entered by two different people. Or you get billed by both the hospital and the doctor for the same thing.

Think of duplicate charges like getting charged twice when you tap your credit card too quickly at checkout. It happens. But unlike that grocery store purchase, medical bills don't always trigger an automatic alert when there's a duplicate.

How to spot it:

Pull out your itemized bill and look for identical entries. Check for:

  • Same date of service appearing twice
  • Same CPT code (that five-digit procedure code) listed multiple times
  • Same medication or supply showing up on consecutive lines
  • Same dollar amount repeated for no clear reason

Real example: A patient was charged for two chest X-rays on the same day, same time. He'd only had one X-ray taken. The billing clerk had accidentally entered it twice. One phone call removed the duplicate $280 charge.

What to do: Circle the duplicate charges on your bill. Call the billing office and say: "I'm seeing duplicate charges on my bill for [specific service] on [date]. I only received this service once. Can you explain why it appears twice?" Most of the time, they'll say "Oh, that's an error" and remove it immediately.

Error #2: Incorrect Patient Information

What it is: Someone else's charges ending up on your bill, or your personal information being entered wrong.

This might sound unlikely, but it happens more often than you'd think. Names get mixed up. Insurance ID numbers get transposed. John Smith gets confused with Jon Smith. A nurse grabs the wrong chart. Suddenly you're being billed for services meant for someone else.

It's like getting someone else's food delivery—except instead of free pizza, you get a $2,000 bill for a procedure you never had.

How to spot it:

Check the basic information at the top of every bill and EOB:

  • Is your name spelled correctly?
  • Is your date of birth correct?
  • Is your insurance ID number accurate?
  • Do you recognize the provider name?
  • Does the service date match when you actually received care?

Also look for services that make no sense. If you're male and see charges for a mammogram, that's wrong. If you're 30 and see charges for a colonoscopy screening (typically done at 45+), that's suspicious.

Real example: A man received a bill for prenatal vitamins and pregnancy testing. He called the billing department immediately. Turns out, his insurance ID number was one digit off from a pregnant woman's ID. The entire bill—$1,847—was removed.

What to do: If anything looks wrong with your patient information, call both your insurance company and the provider's billing department. Say: "There's incorrect patient information on this claim. My insurance ID should be [correct number]." Have your insurance card in front of you when you call. Get a reference number for the correction.

Error #3: Upcoding

What it is: Being charged for a more expensive service than what you actually received.

Upcoding is when the billing code doesn't match the actual service you got. Sometimes it's an honest mistake—the medical coder grabbed the wrong code from a dropdown menu. Sometimes it's less innocent—a practice trying to get paid more by billing for a more complex service than what actually happened.

Think of it like ordering a regular coffee but getting charged for a large specialty drink. Same basic product, very different price.

How to spot it:

This one's trickier because you need to understand what those CPT codes mean. But here's a simple approach:

Look up the CPT codes on your bill. Google "CPT code [number]" and you'll get a description. Ask yourself: "Does this description match what actually happened?"

Common upcoding patterns:

  • You had a routine 15-minute office visit, but you're billed for an "extended" or "complex" visit
  • You got basic bloodwork, but you're charged for a "comprehensive metabolic panel"
  • You had a simple procedure, but it's coded as if complications occurred
  • Your appointment time doesn't match the level of service billed (short visit coded as long visit)

Real example: A patient had a 20-minute follow-up appointment with her dermatologist to check on a healing rash. Simple visit. But the bill showed CPT code 99215—which means "complex office visit, 40+ minutes, high medical decision-making." The actual code should have been 99213. The difference? $180 vs $95. When she pointed this out with documentation of her appointment time, the charge was corrected.

What to do: Keep track of how long your appointments actually last. If you're charged for a 45-minute visit but you were only there for 15 minutes, that's upcoding. Call the billing office and say: "I'm being charged for [complex/extended service], but I only received [basic service]. The appointment was only [X minutes]. Can you review the coding?" If they push back, ask your doctor's office to provide notes from your visit that document what actually occurred.

Error #4: Unbundling

What it is: Separating services that should be billed together as one package, so they can charge you multiple times.

Medical procedures often come in bundles—think of them like combo meals at a restaurant. When you get a blood test panel, that's actually multiple tests bundled into one charge. When you have surgery, the surgeon's fee typically includes the pre-op visit, the surgery itself, and one follow-up visit—all bundled together.

Unbundling is like being charged separately for the burger, the bun, the lettuce, the tomato, and the special sauce—when it should all be one cheeseburger price. You end up paying way more because each component is billed individually.

How to spot it:

Look for related services billed separately on the same date. Red flags include:

  • Lab work showing 8 separate charges instead of one panel charge
  • Surgery showing separate fees for things that should be included (like "surgical tray" or "operating room time" billed apart from the surgery itself)
  • Multiple charges on the same line item with slightly different descriptions

Real example: A patient had a complete blood count (CBC) test done. Instead of one charge for the CBC panel (CPT code 85025, typically $29), his bill showed six separate line items for each component of the CBC—white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, platelets, etc. Each billed separately. The total? $183. When he called and pointed out these should be bundled as one CBC, the charge was corrected to $29.

What to do: If you see multiple charges for what seems like one test or procedure, call the billing office and ask: "I'm seeing several separate charges for [procedure type] on [date]. Should these be bundled together instead of charged separately?" You can also call your insurance company—they're often very good at catching unbundling because it costs them money too.

Error #5: Charges for Services Not Received

What it is: Being billed for treatments, tests, medications, or supplies you never actually got.

This is the error that sounds most like fraud, but it's often just careless record-keeping. Maybe the nurse documented that she gave you a medication, but then forgot to administer it. Maybe equipment was prepared for a procedure that ended up not being needed. Maybe someone checked the wrong box on your chart.

It's like being charged for extra guacamole you never ordered—except we're talking about $50 bandages and $200 medications instead of $2 of avocado.

How to spot it:

This requires your memory and attention during your medical visit:

  • Look at every line item on your itemized bill
  • Ask yourself: "Did I actually receive this?"
  • Pay special attention to medications, supplies, and tests

Things people commonly get charged for but never receive:

  • Take-home medications that weren't given
  • Medical supplies (crutches, braces, bandages) that weren't provided
  • Tests that were ordered but canceled
  • Private room charges when you were in a shared room
  • Meals during a hospital stay you never got

Real example: After surgery, a patient's bill included a charge for crutches—$120. She never received crutches. She walked out of the hospital on her own. When she called billing and said, "I was never given crutches," they checked the surgical discharge paperwork. Sure enough, no crutches were documented as distributed. The charge was removed.

What to do: Go through your itemized bill line by line. If you see something you don't remember receiving, call the billing office and say: "I'm seeing a charge for [item/service] on [date], but I don't recall receiving this. Can you verify this was actually provided?" Often they'll check their records and realize it was entered in error. If they insist you received it, ask them to provide documentation—a signed receipt, discharge paperwork, or medical notes showing you actually got the item or service.

How to Protect Yourself From Billing Errors

Now that you know what to look for, here's your action plan:

Step 1: Always request an itemized bill. Don't accept a summary statement. You need line-by-line detail to spot these errors.

Step 2: Review bills within 30 days. The sooner you catch errors, the easier they are to fix. Some billing errors have time limits for disputes.

Step 3: Keep your own records. After medical visits, write down what happened. What tests did you get? What medications were administered? How long was the appointment? These notes are your evidence.

Step 4: Compare your bill to your EOB. These should match. If they don't, something's wrong somewhere.

Step 5: Don't be intimidated. Billing departments expect these calls. You're not being difficult—you're being financially responsible.

How MyCareClaim Can Help

Catching billing errors takes time and attention to detail. You're essentially auditing complex medical documents, cross-checking codes, and playing detective with your own healthcare records. And you're probably doing this while recovering from being sick or injured—not exactly when you have extra energy for paperwork.

MyCareClaim acts as your personal billing auditor. Upload your medical bills and the platform automatically scans for these five common errors plus dozens more. It flags duplicate charges, identifies potential upcoding, catches unbundling, and alerts you to charges that don't match your insurance coverage. Instead of spending hours Googling CPT codes and comparing line items, you get a clear report: "Here are three potential errors on your bill worth $842." Think of it as having a financial bodyguard for your medical bills—it's watching for problems so you don't have to become a billing expert overnight.

Conclusion

Jennifer caught that appendectomy charge because she paid attention. She looked at her bill carefully instead of just paying it. That one moment of attention saved her $14,800.

You can do the same thing. Billing errors are common, but they're also catchable. Now you know the five biggest mistakes to watch for. You know how to spot them. And you know what to say when you call to get them fixed.

Here's your homework: Pull out your most recent medical bill. Yes, right now. Look through it using this guide. Check for duplicates. Verify the services match what you actually received. Look up one or two CPT codes. See what you find.

Most bills have at least one small error. Many have big ones. The only question is whether you'll catch them before you pay. You will.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to dispute a medical billing error?

This varies, but you typically have 60-180 days from when you receive the bill to dispute errors. However, don't wait—the sooner you catch and report errors, the easier they are to fix. Once a bill goes to collections (usually after 90-120 days of non-payment), it becomes much harder to resolve. If you spot an error, call within a week or two of receiving the bill.

What if the billing office says the charge is correct but I'm sure it's wrong?

Don't give up. First, ask them to provide documentation proving you received the service—discharge paperwork, nursing notes, or a signed receipt. If they can't provide proof, escalate by asking to speak with a supervisor or the billing manager. You can also contact your insurance company and ask them to review the claim for accuracy. Finally, you can file a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance or health department. Keep records of every conversation, including names, dates, and what was said.

Can I negotiate a bill even if there aren't errors on it?

Yes. Even if your bill is technically accurate, you can still negotiate. Many hospitals offer financial assistance programs, hardship discounts, or payment plans. Call the billing office and say: "I can't afford this full amount. What options do you have for reducing the bill or setting up a payment plan?" Be honest about your financial situation. Hospitals would rather collect something than send your bill to collections and potentially get nothing.

Should I pay a bill while I'm disputing an error?

This is tricky. If you're sure there's an error and you're actively working to resolve it, you don't have to pay the disputed amount immediately. However, you should pay any portion of the bill you know is correct to avoid late fees or collections on that part. Always communicate with the billing office—tell them you're disputing specific charges and ask them to put a hold on collections while the dispute is being resolved. Get this agreement in writing (or via email) if possible. Document everything.

What's the difference between a billing error and fraud?

A billing error is typically an honest mistake—someone typed the wrong code, clicked the wrong button, or entered duplicate data. Fraud is intentional—someone deliberately bills for services not provided, systematically upcodes to increase profits, or uses your insurance information without your permission. If you suspect fraud (like seeing bills for services you definitely never received at providers you've never visited), report it immediately to your insurance company's fraud department and consider filing a police report. Your insurance company takes fraud seriously because it costs them money too—they'll investigate thoroughly.