How to handle your medical bills

When she was 19, writer Emily Maloney found herself facing about $50,000 in medical debt after hospital treatment for a mental health crisis. The debt followed her throughout her twenties, hurting her credit and leading to stressful calls from collection agencies.

Her experience is all too common: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports that about 1 in 5 U.S. households carries medical debt. People with medical debt are more likely to face anxiety, stress or depression and avoid filling prescriptions because of the cost.

In Kimberly Palmer’s latest for the Associated Press, learn how to handle your medical bills.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What the No Surprises Act means for your medical bills. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on buying your dream house, the January mortgage rate forecast, and 5 steps to reach your money goals in 2022.

What the No Surprises Act Means for Your Medical Bills
The No Surprises Act bans surprise medical bills for emergency services and unexpected out-of-network providers.

Smart Money Podcast: Buying Your Dream House
Sean and Liz chat with Nerd Elizabeth Renter about how she bought her dream house.

Mortgage Outlook: Rates May Stand Still in January
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5 Steps to Reach Your Money Goals in 2022
With inflation and economic uncertainty clouding 2022, shoring up your finances this month can feel even more urgent.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to minimize credit damage from medical bills. Also in the news: Getting started with qualified opportunity funds, how to turn your side-gig into a full-time business, and what to do if you’re about to lose your federal COBRA subsidy.

How to Minimize Credit Damage From Medical Bills
Your credit can recover.

Getting Started With Qualified Opportunity Funds
Qualified opportunity funds allow you to do well for yourself while doing good for others — revitalizing distressed communities while saving on taxes.

5 Steps to Turn Your Side Gig Into a Full-Fledged Business
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What to Do If You’re About to Lose Your Federal COBRA Subsidy
Time to look for a cheaper plan.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Will you really run out of money in retirement? Also in the news: What to do if your mortgage forbearance is ending, 5 home remodeling trends to watch for 2021, and how to pay your medical bills without crowdfunding.

Will You Really Run Out of Money in Retirement?
Most people adjust spending to stretch their resources, but you can proactively get help now to ease your worries.

The Property Line: Mortgage Forbearance Ending? Here Are Your Options
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Say goodbye to neutrals and open floor plans and hello to mood-lifting color and a place for everyone.

How to Pay Your Medical Bills Without Crowdfunding
The limits of crowdfunding.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What homeowners must remember at tax time this year. Also in the news: A GOP proposal to take student loan payments straight from your paycheck, why you might not have to pay that medical bill, and the biggest financial mistake women make.

Here’s What Homeowners Must Remember at Tax Time This Year
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A GOP proposal could snatch your student loan payment right from your paycheck
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You Might Not Have to Pay That Medical Bill
Get ready to spend some time on the phone.

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Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Quick ways to save more money in 2019. Also in the news: Medical bills plague millennials, 3 simple strategies to max out your 401(k), and the basics of Parent PLUS loan forgiveness.

Quick Ways to Save More Money in 2019
Focusing on the simple.

Medical Bills Plague Millennials; These Tips May Be the Cure
Making medical debt more managable.

3 Simple Strategies to Max Out Your 401(k)
Increasing your retirement savings at any income level.

The Basics of Parent PLUS Loan Forgiveness
Who’s responsible for repayment?

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How medical bill advocates can slash your costs. Also in the news: How two-factor authentication protects your online info, how investing apps can foil financial planning, and four credit card trends for 2017.

How Medical Bill Advocates Can Slash Your Costs
An advocate will go to bat to reduce your medical costs.

How Two-Factor Authentication Protects Your Online Info
Taking the important steps to protect your online information.

Investing apps can foil financial planning
Trusting your intuitions.

4 credit card trends for 2017 and what they mean for you
The good news and the bad news.

Q&A: How to negotiate the medical bill maze in search of a better deal

Dear Liz: My husband and I have run into some serious medical bills recently. We have insurance, but one provider is out of network with a huge deductible and low payout, while another claim was flat-out denied. We’re looking at around $16,000 in bills, assuming nothing else is denied. What can we do to get these bills lowered?

Answer: Act fast, negotiate hard and don’t pay the “sticker price” for healthcare if you can possibly avoid it.

Start by reviewing your bills for errors such as duplicate charges, fees for services you didn’t receive and charges that seem excessive. A medical billing advocate may spot more subtle overcharges, such as separate, higher fees for procedures that should have been billed together as one bundle. The National Assn. of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants and the Alliance of Claims Assistance Professionals can offer referrals.

You may be able to resolve the errors with a call to your insurer, but you’ll still want to ask how to file a formal appeal so you can challenge the claim denial.

Look for other ways to reduce the bills. Some medical providers have charity programs that may help, and they aren’t just for low-income people: Partial relief may be available for those earning up to 400% of the poverty level for their areas.

Even if you don’t qualify, don’t assume that the numbers on your bills are what you actually have to pay. As you know from previous medical bills, the amounts providers charge bear little resemblance to the amounts they’re willing to accept from insurers. Ask to be charged the same amount that the provider would accept from Medicare, or from the largest insurer in its network.

If you can pay your bill all at once, ask for another discount for paying in cash. If you can’t pay, ask for a no-interest payment plan. Providers may push you to pay the bill with a credit card, but resist doing so unless you get a significant discount and can pay off the bill quickly.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

medical concept -  stethoscope over the dollar billsToday’s top story: How to estimate your major medical costs. Also in the news: Financial planning for the child-free, steps to take before buying a car, and hacks to winterize your home and cut your heating bills.

How to Predict the Size of Your Next Major Medical Bill
Doing your research can save you from sticker shock.

No Kids? You’re Not Off the Hook for Financial Planning
Steps to take if you’re child-free.

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Filed A Federal Tax Extension? 7 Money Must-Dos Before October 15
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13 Hacks to Winterize Your Home – and Trim Your Heating Bill
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Friday’s need-to-know money news

Medical expenses and bankruptcyToday’s top story: Should you pay your medical bills with a credit card? Also in the news: How to avoid grad school debt, getting your bank account back in black, and should colleges be held partly responsible for student loan defaults?

Should You Ever Pay Your Medical Bills With a Credit Card?
Putting co-pays on credit cards.

Grad-School Debt Is Growing. Here’s How To Avoid It
Will your graduate degree pay off in the long run?

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How to get back in black.

Should Colleges Pay for Student Loan Defaults?
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5 Ways to Turn Inertia Into Financial Momentum
Time to get moving.