Read the Bill: A Nurse's Guide to Understanding Medical Bills and Insurance EOBs

Medical bills are confusing, scary, and often wrong — but patients don’t have to navigate them alone. In this episode Jessica Tonia, a practicing nurse practitioner, breaks down the difference between a hospital bill and an insurance Explanation of Benefits, decodes common billing codes and line items, and gives listener-ready scripts to call billing offices and insurers. You will learn what terms like "facility charge," "allowed amount," and "balance billing" really mean, how to spot duplicate or unbundled charges, and the exact documents and timelines you need to dispute an error. With practical examples, safe next steps, and when-to-escalate guidance, this episode turns confusing paperwork into actionable steps so listeners can reduce stress, avoid surprise debt, and confidently advocate for accurate charges.