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March 4, 2025 โ€ข 32 mins

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Crushing Medical Debt! ๐Ÿฅ๐Ÿ’ธ

Have you ever been overwhelmed by astronomical medical bills? You're not alone! Today's convo is with Dr. Virgie Bright Ellington, an expert on navigating medical debt, and she has some game-changing advice. ๐Ÿฉบ๐Ÿ”ย 

Medical bills are the leading cause of debt & bankruptcy in the U.S.โ€”& they don't discriminate by age. If you're over 18, you're at risk. But guess what? Dr. Virgie says there's hope, & she's armed with 3 life-saving steps to tackle those bills! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ“‘ย 

Step 1: Get a REAL bill. Demand a copy with CPT codes, just like whatโ€™s sent to insurance companies. This helps avoid hidden fees & errors. ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿงพ

Once you have the CPT codes, Step 2: Use AI or Google search to check what Medicare pays for them. These are typically most fair rates and your new benchmark. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“Šย 

Step 3: Call the billing department with your new number & confidently say, "In my case, I am willing and able to pay [your total]." Trust me, this is negotiating on stealth mode! ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ“žย 

Dr. Virgie also highlights incredible FREE resources, like the Patient Advocate Foundation, which can guide you through the medical bill maze. Consider them your financial ally! ๐Ÿ†“๐Ÿคย 

Planning ahead is key! Can't afford traditional insurance? Look into accidental or critical illness coverage to protect against catastrophic costs. Some coverage is better than none. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ๐Ÿ“‹ย 

Feeling anxious about medical costs & financial health? Bring a support person to appointments for a second set of ears, and reach out for help when negotiating or appealing insurance denials. You're not alone! ๐Ÿ‘ซ๐Ÿ—จ๏ธย 

Remember, knowledge is power. Question those big bills, use negotiation hacks, & don't hesitate to seek assistance. Your financial health is just as critical as your physical health. ๐Ÿ’ก๐Ÿ’ฐย 

Dive deeper and crush medical debt with Dr. Virgie by visiting CrushMedicalDebt.com or her podcast "Medical Bills Uncovered." ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ’Šย 

For additional information about Kelly, check her out on Linkedin or www.SteadfastAgents.com.

To explore your options for long-term care insurance, click here.

Steadfast Care Planning podcast is made possible by Steadfast Insurance LLC,
Certification in Long Term Care, and AMADA Senior Care.

Come back next time for more helpful guidance!

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