Handling medical debt

Many in the valley are working to recover from the financial fallout of COVID-19 and some of us are facing piling bills - including medical debt.

BILLS...INCLUDING MEDICAL DEBT."WHEN YOU'RE ILL, OR INEMERGENCY SITUATION, YOU'RENOT THINKING ABOUT WHETHER THATPERSON'S IN MY NETWORK OR NOT.YOU WANT TO GET THE BEST HELP."CRAIG ANTICO IS ONE OF THEFOUNDERS OF THE NATIONALNON-PROFIT..."R-I-P MEDICAL DEBT".THEY PAY OFF LINGERING MEDICALBILLS....FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD....TO PAY THEM.THE FEDERAL CARES ACTINCLUDED....OVER -1- HUNDRED-BILLIONDOLLARS...TO REIMBURSE HEALTH CAREPROVIDERS.......FOR TESTING AND TREATMENT OFCOVID-19 PATIENTS.

BUT...THAT ONLY COVERS THOSE....WHO ARE UN-INSURED.SOME HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIESPLAN TO COVER DEDUCTIBLES ORCO- PAYS.BUT....NOT ALL!

THE GOOD NEWS IS...YOUR MEDICAL BILLS ARENEGOTIABLE."WE PAY THE MARKET RATE FORDEBT.WHICH IS KIND OF FUNNY IN THATPEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THEIRDEBT IS WORTH A LOT LESS THANTHE FULL VALUE."IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT DEBT...ANTICO SAYS...CALL THE BILLING DEPARTMENT TOTRY TO NEGOTIATE.....A LOWER BILL.ASK FOR AN ITEMIZED BILL....TO DOUBLE CHECK THE CHARGES.AND FINALLY HE SAYS...TRY NOT TO PAY MORE THAN....-3- PERCENT OF YOUR INCOME...PER MONTH.SEARCHING FOR A JOB CAN BESTRESSFUL AND