Actually, Kat, medical bills are a loan in any sense of that word. Some entity has provided goods and services for which they expect [deferred] payment. If this loan is for an elective procedure, it is the same as buying, say, a car. However if the loan be for an emergency procedure or a life threatening illness, every effort should be made to pay it off if possible. Sometimes it's not possible, but that is different from just trying to beat the bill.
JotSC (not a medical provider)