Medical debt rising for older adults

About 8 million people ages 50 to 64 had medical debt in 2023, roughly 1 in 8.

Ask for bill before procedure

Get cost information ahead of time to negotiate lower costs and avoid surprise bills.

“I had a scheduled medical procedure, and I got the invoice ahead of time. And I looked at it and I was just shocked. It was so high.”

Don’t sign paperwork alone

Patients should never review or sign medical paperwork alone to avoid financial mistakes.

“You’re not really in the state of mind that you would want to be when you do that.”

Talk to billing office early

Patients with limited insurance should set up payment plans or report financial hardship before bills pile up.

“There are financial hardships in almost every hospital, and most doctor’s offices are connected to where they can help you pay some if you’ve got a large out-of-pocket.”

Emergency rooms must treat you

Emergency medical treatment is guaranteed regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

“There is an Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act that requires a hospital, regardless, any hospital facility you go to, they have to evaluate you.”

Know bill vs insurance statement

Confirm whether a document is an actual bill before paying to avoid overpaying.

“She got a Medicare bill in, and it was an EOB, an explanation of benefits, that just told her what the provider had paid, and she thought she owed that extra additional amount.”

Look for uninsured clinics

Free and low-cost clinics exist nationwide for people without insurance to reduce medical costs.

“There are medical clinics for the uninsured, and I think they’re all over the country.”