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“Definitely within the last two years we’ve noticed the situation is getting much worse,†said Pam Dowler, executive director of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Mid-Ohio Valley. “Our counselors are noticing that a lot more health-related charges are showing up on credit cards.†Dowler believes that there are several reasons this is happening more than ever before, the economy chief among them.Higher fuel and utility costs, grocery bills soaring and overall costs of living on the rise are creating financial stress, she said. Families and individuals simply cannot afford health insurance and pay other bills. “Another thing that’s happening today is that many health care facilities, especially hospitals, are offering a 25 percent discount if the person pays the balance of their health care bill up front, before insurance pays,†Dowler said. “The easiest thing for many in that situation is to put the balance on a credit card.â€
Once the pattern begins, similar to putting weekly groceries on a credit card, the ease and convenience become comfortable and habitual, she said. “The key is stop charging everyday expenses and medical care on credit cards,†Dowler said. Her biggest concern is situations where elderly people are putting health care and prescription medications on credit. These people often don’t seek help from credit counselors and instead, simply ignore and “let other bills go†so they can pay for medications. “They will even not pay their mortgages, while running credit cards up into the thousands of dollars to pay for prescription drugs,†Dowler said. Experts who work with seniors are especially concerned that as people age, they may miss opportunities that offer them help and assistance. Butch Badgett of Harmar, state coordinator of the Sons of the American Legion’s veterans affairs and rehabilitation program, urges veterans to “get into the system now.†“It’s great that you have health insurance through your job or union, but what happens when there’s a problem and that goes away?†Badgett said. Thousands of veterans who qualify today for health coverage and for significant coverage of prescription medications are not taking advantage of it, he said. “Elderly people (who are U.S. military veterans) may not know about what their benefits are through the clinic or where to go to get them,†Badgett said. S.A.V.E. (Sons Assisting Veterans Everywhere) was developed by Badgett to get the word out. “Any veteran can go to the clinic (local VA clinic on Colegate Drive) anytime and register for benefits,†he said. “This is good for two reasons. It shows that we (as a region) need the clinic and it takes time to get into the system.†Waiting only delays benefits and may encourage veterans to turn to credit cards, savings or family to pay medical expenses. Independent businessmen, without a large company behind them, traditionally have a tough time keeping up with rising health insurance costs, but there is hope. Shane Danford, owner of Putnam Chocolates, 288 Front St., has battled the health insurance monster for years, but believes he’s found the best option for the long run. “I’d gotten to the point where my basic health insurance cost was over $200 a month,†Danford said. “I contacted my (insurance) agent and he worked out another plan that will cost me only $145 a month.†But the best part about the new plan is that it includes a health savings account (HSA) that builds up for special health care needs and can be used as a deductible on taxes. It can be used for regular medical visits, glasses, dental care, or anything medical. If the HSA isn’t used, the plan is not lost at the end of the year, like some plans, but keeps building. If it is never used, it can become part of the individual’s retirement. By Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.com http://www.mariettatimes.com/ Get a Free No Obligation Health Insurance Quote Today! 3 Comments for 'Americans Use Plastic to Help Pay for Health Care Costs'Leave a comment |
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Medical Dental Insurance Veterans Us…
I don’t mean to be too in your face, but I’m not sure I agree with this. Anyhow, thanks for sharing and I think I’ll come to this blog more often….
Jessie…
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Military Retirement Pay Calculator…
Your blog makes very interesting reading. I’m sure others will think so too I look forward to reading their comments….