What happens if you don't pay medical bills under $1,000?

An unpaid medical bill can have serious consequences for your finances, even if it's under $1,000. MicroStockHub/Getty Images

Healthcare costs have grown significantly over the last decade and are expected to continue to increase over time. That, in turn, has led to millions of Americans struggling to pay what they owe to hospitals, doctors or other medical providers. However, medical debt doesn't always accrue in four- or five-figure sums that you can't afford to pay out of pocket. In many cases, it's things like a $200 X-ray bill, a $600 urgent care visit or a $900 specialist invoice that catch you off guard.

And, with the current landscape marked by rising insurance costs and inflation that keeps pushing everyday costs higher, even the smaller medical bills you're facing c