[cosmie]

When using the technique, be sure to get confirmation in writing that the bill is paid in full.

I've used it twice before. Once the hospital offered to consider it paid in full if I paid my entire $500 copay at time of discharged (i.e. anything left after copay + insurance payment would be written off).

The second time, I was able to get a facility fee negotiated down from $5k to $1k. The $4k difference found it's way to debt collections and onto my credit report due to the way the payment was written down in the system, and it was hell getting it dealt with since I didn't have explicit confirmation that the $1k wasn't a partial payment on the full bill.