National Jewish Health Financial Assistance
National Jewish Health helps low-income patients with medical bills, regardless of religion or ability to pay. They also have their own medical financial assistance program, NJFAP. Their policy is to assist low-income and disadvantaged patients. If approved, you can receive full or partial assistance.
What Does The Program Cover
The MFA program covers emergency and medically necessary health care services, pharmacy services and products, and medical supplies provided at Kaiser Permanente facilities , at Kaiser Permanente outpatient pharmacies, or by Kaiser Permanente providers. Services that are not considered emergent or medically necessary as determined by a Kaiser Permanente provider include but are not limited to cosmetic surgery or services, infertility treatments, retail medical supplies, surrogacy services, and services related to third-party liability, or workers compensation cases.
Please note: The MFA program is not a form of health insurance and cant be used to subsidize premiums.
Government Programs And Nonprofits That Can Help With Medical Bills
Getting a life-threatening diagnosis is hard enough. On top of it, though, comes a flurry of medical expenses for doctor visits, medications and treatments. These costs can not only put a strain on your finances, but they can be a stressor on your mental health as you navigate treatment.
A 2016 study found that more than one in four Americans had trouble paying a medical bill. Because of this, people experiencing financial insecurity may be less likely to seek the treatment they need. Nearly one in three families reported that they have delayed medical treatment because of the cost.
Page Topics
Cancer patients arent immune to the strain. Medical bills present another obstacle to receiving proper care, with 63% of cancer patients and their loved ones reporting financial stress following a diagnosis.
There are financial aid programs available for those navigating treatment. These government programs and nonprofit organizations can help you pay medical bills and related medical expenses.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Free Government Cell Phone
Do Medicare And Medicaid Providers Cover At
Biden’s new rules on reimbursement for at-home COVID-19 tests don’t currently apply to Medicaid and Medicare, although Bloomberg Government reports test kit producers are lobbying to change that.
People with Medicare — a free federal program for all Americans 65 and older — who also have private health insurance can receive reimbursement from their insurer.
State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program, aka CHIP, programs are currently required to cover FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 tests without cost-sharing, according to HHS.
Government Assistance For Medical Bills
Before you decide theres no way to pay a medical debt, consider turning to a government program for help. Medicaid and state Childrens Health Insurance Programs both provide medical expense assistance to those who cant afford insurance.
Both Medicaid and CHIP are federally funded but state-administered programs that offer help to those whose family incomes fall below certain thresholds. Contact your states human and social services agencies or a state Medicaid office to learn if you qualify.
If you are a veteran, have a disability or are at least 65 years old, you are likely to be eligible for Medicare or medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans should contact the VA and seniors and the disabled should learn about Medicare. The Benefits.gov website offers a questionnaire that can help you locate an appropriate program.
Also Check: State Jobs Las Vegas
Prosper Health Coverage By Foundation Communities
Prosper Health Coverage is a program sponsored by nonprofit organization Foundation Communities. Through this program, experts provide free assistance for Texans applying for Marketplace health insurance through the Affordable Care Act . Due to COVID-19, Prosper Health Coverage can only offer virtual aid.
Financial Aid For Medical Bills Provided By Private Organizations
Private organizations have become solution for people who fail to obtain financial assistance from the government. However, just the same with the federal grants, in order to be eligible for the financial aid, the private organizations have set some requirements that need to be fulfilled. As for the example, a Church that offers medical grant for its member only. There are also other organizations provide financial aid for medical bills to certain people, NAACP for instance. This organization provides medical grants to African-American people. In order to be eligible for this grant, the African-American needs to apply through NAACP. There is also financial aid for medical bills offered by hospital for certain race cases. For some ailments, some private programs like Elsa U. Pardee Foundation and Lance Armstrong Foundation offer financial assistance to people who need to undergo cancer treatment.
Also Check: Dental Implants Grant
Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , also known as welfare, is designed to help families recover from temporary difficulties and move forward. Recipients may qualify for help with food, housing, home energy, child care, job training, and more. Each state and tribal governments TANF program is operated differently, and has a different name. Contact your local TANF office to apply for financial assistance.
Ask For A Payment Plan
When you receive a large bill, you can ask to pay it in smaller, monthly installments rather than all at once. The minimum amount you can pay per month will vary depending on your bill size and ability to pay. When you receive a large bill, its best to ask for a payment plan as soon as possible so you can work to resolve the debt.
Read Also: Congress Middle Class Mortgage Relief
Where To Apply For Federal Grants For Medical Bills
The US government provides several federal assistance programs that people with Medicare with low income and resources below specified limits, can avail to help bear the cost of medical bills for treatment and prescription drugs.
Where to apply for Federal Grants for Medical Bills
These programs are designed to help the needy save significantly on expenses of medical treatments and buying pharmaceutical drugs.
Some of the top places to apply for federal grants for medical bills include:
Medicaid
Medicaid is a social welfare program jointly managed by the state and federal governments. Medicaid is designed to provide monetary assistance to those who cannot afford to pay for their medical bills due to low income or disability.
Several criteria are considered before Medicaid releases the federal grants for medical bills, including the applicants resources and income.
The eligibility criteria for federal grants for medical bills under Medicaid differ from state to state, along with the services covered and the cost of services too.
For more information on eligibility criteria to apply for federal grants for medical bills under Medicaid in your state, you can:
- Visit Medicare.gov/contacts
Review All Your Bills For Extra Costs You Shouldnt Pay
In general, its not uncommon for hospital bills to have errors. For this reason, its a good idea to make sure you arent paying for any services you didnt receive. Some common mistakes include charging patients for a full day when they were discharged in the morning, charging patients for medications when they brought their own, and charging patients for supplies like gowns, gloves, and sheets, which should already be included in the daily room charge.
Before setting up a payment plan with your hospital or doctors office, double-check all charges. You may need to contact your provider directly to clear up any incorrect charges.
Read Also: State Jobs Las Vegas Nv
The National Association Of Free And Charitable Clinics
The NAFC uses a volunteer/staff model to provide a wide variety of health and medical services to economically disadvantaged patients. These clinics and pharmacies restrict the ability for services to patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or have limited or no access to primary, specialty, or prescription health care.
Search through as many as 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies on their Find a Clinic page. If you have money to give, the NAFC is in great need of providing support to the clinics in their network in their coronavirus response efforts. Learn more or donate here.
Ask Your Doctor For Resources
One of your rights as a patient is to discuss the financial aspects of your treatment. Bringing up finances and billing might actually encourage your doctor to suggest more affordable alternatives based on your budget and insurance coverage. Doctors and their assistants understand healthcare bureaucracy well and may be able to steer you toward helpful resourcesincluding hospital or health group administrators who can connect you with different forms of financial aid. They might even have tips on how to deal with your insurance company or how to find help with medical bills for low income families. Every doctors office policy is different, so it never hurts to ask.
You May Like: Grants To Start A Trucking Company
Examine Your Bill For Errors
Up to 80% of medical bills contain errors. To examine your bill for errors, look for any services that are duplicated or that you didnt receive. Also look for anything that should have been covered by your insurance. If you spot a charge that seems inaccurate, you can dispute it with the hospital or medical provider.
Help With You Energy Bill
If you need help paying for your home energy costs, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program may be able to help with
- Paying for part of your heating or cooling bills
- Paying for some weatherization or low-cost home repairs that may lower your monthly energy bills
- Energy crisis assistance for immediate help
You May Like: Enhanced Relief Mortgage Program For The Middle Class
Vivor: We Can Help You Manage Prescription Drug Costs
Drug costs are disproportionately higher in the U.S. than in other countries, and they are continuing to rise. These high costs are a substantial barrier for many. Fortunately, CCHI has a new tool, VIVOR, that can help you get more affordable prescriptions.
If you are struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs, we encourage you to reach out to us and set up a VIVOR profile. After we build your unique profile, VIVOR matches you with underused, money-saving resources.
What Happens If I Dont Pay My Medical Bills
If you dont pay your doctors office or the hospital, your healthcare provider may eventually send your unpaid bills to a collections agency. Some providers may send your bill to collections as soon as 30 days after its due, while others may wait 60, 90 or even 180 days. But none of the three major credit bureaus Equifax, Experian or TransUnion will list unpaid medical debt on your credit reports until youre at least 180 days late.
Similar to if you stopped paying your credit card bill, not paying medical bills can damage your credit. If your medical bills go unpaid for more than 180 days, the collection account could stick around on your credit reports for seven years even if you eventually pay off the debt before then. And since your payment history is one of the biggest factors in determining your credit scores, your scores could take a hit.
This could make it more difficult to qualify for future loans or credit. And if you do get approved, youll likely be charged higher interest rates and fees.
In addition to the impact on your credit, the collections agency might file a lawsuit to collect on your medical debt. If you ignore the lawsuit, a court can enter a judgment against you for what you owe. Depending on your state, the creditor may be able to garnish your wages or put a lien on your property. If you need to consult an attorney, you can search for a legal aid office in your area.
You May Like: Congress Mortgage Stimulus For Middle Class
Childrens Health Insurance Program
The Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, provides low-cost medical help to families who do not meet the requirements for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. The program is aligned with Medicaid and helps families with children cover the cost of medical needs.
Qualification requirements: Each state has different Medicaid and CHIP requirements.
Where to apply: Through your states Medicaid program
Bankruptcy And Other Alternatives To Medical Bills
Medical providers and collection agencies can both file lawsuits to collect unpaid debts. If you are unable to negotiate a repayment plan with them, a collection suit is always possible and a judge might order your wages garnished to satisfy the debt. People with very low incomes are exempt, but those who make more are subject to garnishments that can dig into your take-home pay and lead to other financial problems.
Filing for bankruptcy short circuits the process. Medical debt can be discharged or greatly reduced depending on the type of bankruptcy you file. Before considering medical bankruptcy, you should discuss the options with a nonprofit debt counseling agency to go over the options and determine whether bankruptcy makes sense for you.
5 Minute Read
Recommended Reading: Government Suburban 2500 For Sale
How To Determine Medicaid Eligibility
There are some groups that federal law mandates must be covered by Medicaid, including low-income families, qualified pregnant women and children, and those receiving SSI. However, some states provide additional coverage to other groups based on several factors.
All states require those receiving Medicaid to be low-income, live in the state theyre applying through and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In addition, recipients usually must meet one of the following requirements:
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming: Pregnant, responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, blind, disabled or living with a disabled person, or 65 years of age or older.
California, North Dakota, Tennessee: Pregnant, responsible for a child 21 years of age or younger, blind, disabled or living with a disabled person, or 65 years of age or older.
Kentucky, South Dakota: Pregnant, responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or disabled or living with a disabled person.
Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania: Pregnant, responsible for a child 17 years of age or younger, or disabled or living with a disabled person.
Find Charities That Help Pay Medical Bills
If youre still unsure on how to get help with medical bills, there are nonprofit organizations devoted to helping people with specific medical conditions. Take a look at a list of health charities and nonprofits to see if any apply to you. These organizations can be especially helpful if you have a chronic condition that requires ongoing assistance.
Recommended Reading: Federal Jobs Kansas City
Eliminate Medical Debt Or Bills
Debt settlement can eliminate medical bills. A new study shows that an illness or a condition that causes people to take on excessive medical debt or accrue unpaid bills can contribute to over 60% of . If you are behind on payments to your doctor or health care provider, debt settlement programs can eliminate most or all of your medical obligations. A lower debt level can help prevent a bankruptcy and get you back on solid financial footing, and is always an option.
Consolidate hospital and medical debts to save money on your interest costs. Learn about options available to patients. Many services from credit counselors or lenders can help people consolidate both hospital as well as other medical bills and debt. The are many companies and plans that focus on offering this type of consolidation, and the programs and resulting loans can be used to pay off your bills. More on .
Consumer credit counseling organizations may also be able to provide individuals with free assistance and guidance. Most of these are non-profit agencies. Get help with medical debts and addressing health care expenses, and learn more about a .
Healthcare Providers Such As Your Hospital
Healthcare providers wonât pay your medical bills for you, but they do have the power to reduce or completely drop them.
If youâre having trouble paying your medical bills, call your healthcare provider. Be straightforward. Ask if they can reduce the bill or completely get rid of the bill.
If that doesnât work, explain your financial situation. Then, ask if they have a department you could speak with that could help. Since some medical providers are non-profits, these providers may be able to help you with your medical debt in certain situations.
One example of this is National Jewish Healthcare, a nonprofit healthcare company. They offer financial help for health care services received at their locations.
You must meet requirements based on the following to qualify:
- Assets
- Other issues
If you canât get your bill reduced or eliminated, ask about payment plans. Your provider may offer low or no interest payment plans, which can save you cash in the long run.
These can help providers obtain some of the money theyâre owed and helps you spread out the payments.
Recommended Reading: Government Dental Grants
Hire A Patient Advocate
If you lack the time or understanding to navigate the healthcare system yourself, you might consider hiring a patient advocate, agents trained in how the system works and negotiating on your behalf. Patient advocates typically charge between $100 and $165 and hour and will often charge 20% to 30% of whatever savings they might realize for you. Qualified advocates are experts at analyzing medical bills and can ferret out irregularities. They can also conduct negotiations for you. The Claims.org website can help you find an advocate in your area.
Review Your Medical Bills Carefully
If you’re having trouble paying your medical bills, the first thing you can do is look closely at the charges. The federal General Accounting Office estimates that 99% of all hospital bills contain overcharges. Other experts claim that hospital overcharges average $1,300 per hospital stay. Not surprisingly, experts recommend that you scrutinize each medical bill.
Read Also: Government Grants For Auto Repair Shops
