When a patient is diagnosed with an illness, dealing with it is no easy task -- especially when it comes to the expense of it all and navigating the health care system.

One woman has learned that everything is negotiable, even health care -- you just need a little know how to get you started.

At 27, Ellena Bennett knows first hand how overwhelming medical bills can be.

She first battled cancer at age 10 and again in college.

She's become an expert and has even taken a class to learn how to figure it all out but says the average consumer doesn't need to.

Which she says is the CPTA code book.

Bennett bought a copy for $100 dollars but even that expense isn't necessary in the age of the internet.

She recommends requesting an itemized bill then looking for the diagnostic or E.O.B. codes.

She admits she was laughed at the first time she challenged a charge but not anymore.

Bennett says she's saved close to $20 thousand dollars by disputing what she considers misappropriated codes -- proving that a little knowledge goes a long way.

If you have insurance, you can ask your insurance company for a case manager to help you navigate the system; and if you don't, Bennett says your local hospital should have a social worker or case worker who can help.