The agency’s proposed changes come as the agency faces a legal challenge to its authority in the U.S. Supreme Court.Arguments in this case are scheduled to be heard next weekis expected to be decided within the next year.
Here are some questions and answers regarding medical debt.
What if I can’t afford the medical costs?
If you don’t have health insurance, find out if you qualify for Medicaid, the federal-state health care program for low-income people, or ask if you’re eligible. patient assistance “These programs can reduce the amount owed,” said Chi Chi Wu, senior lawyer at the National Consumer Law Center. Nonprofit hospitals are required to offer the program to maintain tax-exempt status, he said, but the standards vary and registration can be cumbersome for some hospitals.
Be wary if your health care provider offers special loans to pay for your medical bills, Wu said. These credit cards may come with deferred interest, which can significantly increase the amount you have to pay if you don’t pay your bill by a certain deadline.
If you have health insurance, request a detailed bill and compare it to the “Benefit Description” provided by your insurance company to ensure your bill accurately reflects the care you received and the amount you owe. Make sure it’s reflective, said Ms. Holloway of Tzedek DC. And keep medical debt in mind when managing your bills, she said. Prioritize paying your rent, mortgage, car loan, etc. over medical bills.
Check online for more information about patient resources. RIPMedicalDebt.org.
Should I pay my medical bills with a credit card?
If you’re worried that you won’t eventually be able to afford to pay your bill, avoid paying with a traditional credit card, Wu says. If you incur debt on a credit card loan, you may have to pay higher interest and pay late fees if you don’t pay your debt on time. Additionally, this debt is not identified as medical debt and therefore may not be eligible for current and proposed protections. (However, Colorado also includes professional medical credit card debt under its medical debt reporting law.) Nearly one-quarter of adults who have past-due medical bills pay all or part of their medical bills. They reported that they paid the bill with a credit card and then were unable to make the payment.According to the minimum payment amount urban research institutea think tank in Washington.
How can I tell if medical debt is improperly listed on my credit report?
Get a copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.Major credit bureaus ‘permanently extend’ free report provision weekly. (Federal law requires free reporting each year.) If you find a medical collection debt that you think shouldn’t exist, submit it. controversy with credit reporting agencies.you can also file a complaint to the Consumer Affairs Bureau.
