Issue #6
📡 On our Radar 📡
The Financial Crisis of Medical Bills
The Story: A new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that about 6% of adults in the U.S. owe over $1,000 in medical debt, despite over 90% of the United States population having some form of health insurance.
Who's most impacted by medical debt?
23 million Americans (nearly 1 in 10 adults) owe significant medical debt. Patients most impacted include middle-aged adults (12%), black Americans (16%), low- and middle-income people (12%), those without insurance (16%), people in worse health (21%), and those living with a disability (15%).
Why is this such a big issue?
For many Americans, even a medical bill for a few hundred dollars can present major problems. KFF surveys and other studies find that people with unaffordable medical bills are more likely to delay or skip needed care in order to avoid incurring more medical debt, cut back on other basic household expenses, take money out of retirement or college savings, or increase credit card debt.
What should I do if I get a medical bill I can't afford?
See if you're eligible for the hospital's charity care program
If you don't qualify for financial assistance, ask the billing office for an itemized bill
If your bill is technically correct, you can try to negotiate the amount owed
If paying something up front isn't an option, ask to be put on a payment plan
Write down the name of the person you're speaking to so you can refer to the call in the future if needed
Remember that medical debt is not anything to be ashamed of and by using the suggestions above you can chip away at it over time, making it feel more manageable.
🔥 What's Flaring 🔥
How #GutTok Health Trends could be harmful ...
#Guttok which has 839 million+ views, is filled with celebrities and influencers promoting quick fixes like cleanses, taking apple cider vinegar supplements, or restrictive fasting to kickstart your metabolism. While social media can often be a helpful tool for folks with chronic conditions to find information, it is still necessary to fact-check and talk with your doctor before trying internet advice. Remember, the gut supplement, detox, and cleanse space is a multi-billion dollar industry, but there are rarely any evidence-based long-term effects.
Why you may be eligible for another COVID Booster ...
The FDA just annouced new bivalent boosters recommendations for high-risk COVID-19 patients. Those with weakened immune systems can get the additional dose two months after the first dose. After that, they can receive additional doses based on intervals their doctors recommend. Individuals who are eligible for the extra boosters may be able to get them as soon as this week. A January CDC report found that the updated bivalent shots decreased the risk of infection from the XBB.1.5 subvariant, which is currently causing most cases in the United States, by nearly half.
👀 On our Reading List 👀
Many people don't tell their partners about their chronic condition(s) ... we're saving these tips for sharing our health status and advocating for our needs in our relationships.
Report shows millennials are more sick, spend more money on health care ... over half of millennials have or are developing a chronic disease, and they are relying less and less on traditional primary care for help.
12 Health Podcasts worth listening to ... a must-listen podcast playlist: from advice for better living to pulling back the curtain on health care to exploring mental health and relationships through candid interviews.
As pandemic emergencies end patients with long-COVID feel swept under the rug ... if you are among the many people experiencing lingering effects of the virus, you aren't alone in feeling angry and abandoned by policymakers eager to move on.
My son speaks on living with his mom's myasthenia gravis ... a 21 year old's perspective on growing up with a chronically ill mom.
ERs staffed by private equity firms aim to cut costs by hiring fewer doctors ... patients are paying the price as hospitals cutback on staffing.
📢 Who We're Following 📢
Ashley at @arose shares the ins and outs of her life with MS and Graves Disease
Her relatable takes on chronic illness make her a must follow!
