Medical debt can feel overwhelming—but you may have more options than you think. Consumer expert Clark Howard breaks down practical ways to reduce or even eliminate medical bills, from negotiating with hospitals to checking for billing errors and financial assistance programs.
Ruin you financially, but you could qualify to have your medical debt forgiven all part
of a charity care program.
Boston 25 Consumer Advisor Clark Howard explains the program that can possibly help you cut
down the debt size.
I was like, that's a blessing, dude.
Ruben Vidal has worked in the music and film industry for decades.
Me when I was 17, it was DMX, Jay-Z.
In 2023, he faced some unexpected financial challenges due to the writer's strike in Hollywood.
He picked up some work, but it didn't provide the same level of income he was used to.
And then one day, out of nowhere.
I had a really, really bad chest pains I've never had in my life.
I was in pain.
I didn't know if I was dying.
Vidal rushed to the emergency room and after multiple tests and x-rays.
Heartburn.
And I was shocked.
I was like, I could have took Tum.
But his bill was no laughing matter.
He was on the hook for $7,500.
I didn't know how I was going to pay it.
It was really, really, really tough.
That's when a friend of his told him about Dollar4.org, a nonprofit that helps individuals
navigate medical bills.
They will reduce or sometimes even completely forgive your hospital bills.
Jared Walker is the founder of Dollar4.
He tells us that all nonprofit hospitals are required to provide charity care.
Some for-profit hospitals also participate.
And while income limits can vary, Walker says you should check to see if you qualify.
I'm probably not eligible for that or that's not for me and I probably make too much money.
And people would be surprised at how generous some of these policies are.
And if your income levels are too high, you can still negotiate your bill down and ask
to be put on a payment plan.
Just make sure there's no interest and stay far away from any medical credit card offers
from the hospital.
Dollar4.org allows you to look up the hospital you received a bill from, type in your details
and income level, and see if you may qualify.
They also provide free support along the way.
It's a problem that a lot of people face and there is, you know, no harm in seeing if you
qualify.
It takes a couple seconds and can really be life-changing.
For Videl, it was.
He was able to get his bill 100% covered.
People don't know what to do.
I didn't know what to do.
Thankfully, one of my friends did and it helped.
The best step of all when you need medical care non-emergency is try to cut the bill
down or get free care if you can.
Sounds impossible, right?
But there's actually an association called the National Association of Free and Charitable
Clinics that you can go to the site, put in your zip, and see what's available near you.
The website, NAFCclinics.org.
I'm Clark Howard.
