Many people in America struggle with medical bills because health care is costly, and millions do not have health insurance. As people become seniors, some may qualify for federally funded health insurance that will help. Still, even then, there will be medical bills to contend with because it doesn’t pay for everything. Those struggling with paying medical bills will need to find programs that may help provide financial support.
The good news is that there are some programs that offer medical bill assistance programs for seniors. Knowing where to find these programs can make a world of difference when it comes to getting the bills paid and not having to forgo things like paying the rent to do so. The programs may help provide financial assistance to get the medical bills paid for seniors and others who are financially challenged.
Not paying your medical bills can lead to the bills being sent to collections, which can mean that you will get calls and letters demanding payment. Outstanding bills can also negatively impact one’s credit score. The good news is that most states have a statute of limitations when it comes to medical bills. This means that there is a certain number of years that the healthcare provider can seek payment on the bill, and after that period, they will not be able to. Some states, for example, have a period of five years in which the provider can seek payment, and after that, they will not be able to continue seeking payment. Check with your state laws to see what the statute of limitations is for medical bills.
Programs That Provide Medical Bills Assistance
Seniors living in any state in America who are citizens or legal non-citizens will have access to programs that provide bill payment assistance. Those who are not in the country legally may have a more difficult time finding assistance with this, but that doesn’t mean they cannot find it. Some organizations may provide assistance to those who are not legally in the country.
Determine which programs seem like a good fit for your situation and then apply for them. You can apply for more than one program and seek assistance from organizations to help pay for medical bills. Many people get financial assistance from multiple sources, especially if their medical bills are large. The more places you turn to for assistance, the more likely you are to get the help that is needed.
Medicare for Seniors
One of the most popular and helpful programs for seniors who need help paying for medical bills is Medicare. Any legal senior in the country who is age 65 and up can apply to receive Medicare. Those who are approved will get help paying for most kinds of medical bills that they would incur. Medicare is a program provided by the federal government and is intended to help older people in the country with their medical care needs.
Most seniors will pay around $185 per month to have Medicare. Those who have a very low income may be able to pay less than that to get the same coverage. Medicare will pay for most types of medical bills for seniors, but it doesn’t cover the entire bill. In most cases, Medicare will pay 80% of the bill, and the senior will still be left paying the other 20%. Even with Medicare, many seniors will still have to pay over $1,600 for a hospital stay, which means they may need additional resources to help pay for medical bills.
There is no income stipulation for obtaining Medicare. Those who are low wage earners and those who have a lot of money and assets may still qualify for Medicare, but their premiums and what they pay toward it each month will likely differ. Those who have a high income will likely be paying a higher monthly premium toward their coverage than someone who has a low wage.
To get more information and apply for Medicare, click here.
Medicaid for Seniors
Another program provided by the federal government to help people pay for their medical bills is called Medicaid. It is very similar to the Medicare program described above, only it is for those who are under the age of 65. With Medicaid there is an income stipulation that is applied to being approved for the program. This program is only open to those who meet the low-income requirements.
Medicaid is also a program that is only for those who are citizens or legal non-citizens. Those who are approved for the program will be able to get assistance paying for most medical bills. Seniors who qualify for the program will be able to get long term care assistance, including for things like nursing care, medical supplies, and doctor visits.
To get more information and apply for Medicaid, click here.
Additional Options
Those are the two most popular programs for helping people obtain help with paying for their medical bills. Beyond that, seniors may want to consider purchasing “gap insurance,” which will provide them with insurance to cover the gap between what the federal programs are paying and what they are left owing. Gap insurance will have a monthly premium, but it may be less than what the person would be paying if they had to pay for all the medical bills on their own.
Another option to help pay for medical bills is to obtain a Care Credit account. This will allow you to charge the bill and then pay on it over time. They often have promotional periods that provide a low interest rate, helping people save money on getting the bills paid for. To get more information, click here.
Additionally, seniors may want to reach out to their local churches and organizations to see if they can help with medical bills. There are many places in the community that will help seniors with paying for their medical bills. Contact the places near you to see if they offer such assistance or if they can refer you to programs that will help.
