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Everyday LifeBeginner

Explain a Confusing Letter or Bill

Paste a confusing bill, letter, or notice and get a plain-language explanation of what it says, what you owe, and what to do next.

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Fill in each variable and watch the prompt update. Anything still in {{braces}} needs your input before you use it.

Fill in the blanks

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What kind of document it is.

What specifically confuses or worries you.

The text of the document, with personal details removed.

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I received a {{document_type}} and I don't fully understand it. Please explain it in plain language, as if to someone with no background in this area.

My question or worry: {{question}}

Here's the text (I've removed personal details like account numbers):
"""
{{document_text}}
"""

Please tell me:
1. **What this is** — in one or two sentences.
2. **Key points** — amounts, dates, and deadlines, in a short list.
3. **Jargon explained** — any confusing terms, defined simply.
4. **What I need to do** — specific next steps, and by when. If no action is needed, say so.
5. **Questions to ask** — what I should ask the sender if anything is unclear or looks wrong.

Only explain what's actually in the text. If something is ambiguous or missing, say so rather than guessing. If this involves legal, medical, or tax decisions, remind me to confirm with the sender or a qualified professional.
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Example

Example input

Filled prompt
I received a medical bill and I don't fully understand it. Please explain it in plain language, as if to someone with no background in this area.

My question or worry: I thought my insurance covered this visit — why do I owe money?

Here's the text (I've removed personal details like account numbers):
"""
Statement Date: 10/02/2026. Services: Office visit, est. patient, level 3. Charges: $210.00. Insurance Payment: $132.40. Contractual Adjustment: $37.60. Patient Responsibility: $40.00 (Deductible: $0.00, Coinsurance: $0.00, Copay: $40.00). Amount Due by 11/01/2026: $40.00.
"""

Please tell me:
1. **What this is** — in one or two sentences.
2. **Key points** — amounts, dates, and deadlines, in a short list.
3. **Jargon explained** — any confusing terms, defined simply.
4. **What I need to do** — specific next steps, and by when. If no action is needed, say so.
5. **Questions to ask** — what I should ask the sender if anything is unclear or looks wrong.

Only explain what's actually in the text. If something is ambiguous or missing, say so rather than guessing. If this involves legal, medical, or tax decisions, remind me to confirm with the sender or a qualified professional.

Example output

Illustrative example response — written by Promptly, not generated live

1. What this is A bill from your healthcare provider for a routine office visit. Your insurance paid most of it, and you owe a $40 copay.

2. Key points

  • Total charged: $210.00
  • Insurance paid: $132.40
  • Discount from your insurer's agreed rate ("contractual adjustment"): $37.60
  • You owe: $40.00, due by 1 November 2026

3. Jargon explained

  • Established patient, level 3: you've seen this provider before; "level 3" reflects the visit's complexity.
  • Contractual adjustment: the amount the provider agreed to knock off for your insurer. You don't pay this.
  • Copay: a fixed amount you pay per visit under your plan.
  • Deductible / coinsurance $0: neither applied to this visit.

4. What to do Your insurance did cover the visit — the $40 is your plan's copay. If it matches your plan's copay amount, pay by 1 November. Check that your insurer's statement (often called an Explanation of Benefits) shows the same numbers.

5. Questions to ask

  • "Was this copay already collected at the visit?" (if you paid at check-in, you may be double-billed)
  • "Can you confirm this matches what my insurer processed?"

Confirm details with your provider or insurer if anything doesn't match your records.

Why it works

Including your specific worry focuses the explanation on what you actually need to know, not just a paraphrase. A fixed structure — what it is, amounts, jargon, actions, questions — makes sure deadlines aren't missed. Telling the model to explain only what's in the text reduces made-up details, and removing personal information before pasting is good privacy practice with any AI tool.

Techniques used