The Biden administration has proposed a federal effort that would . Supporters of the move say it could help people with medical debt have an easier time securing housing and other loans.
鈥淚t is very similar in scope to Governor Lamont's banning of medical debt being reported to credit rating agencies Experian, Equifax, TransUnion,鈥� said Nick McLaughlin, an advisor at . Their mission is to help facilitate affordable access to healthcare.
McLaughlin said the new federal legislation won鈥檛 help 海角换妻 residents, because Governor Ned Lamont has already taken steps to do so.
in May. Earlier in the year, he signed legislation to use federal ARPA funds to cancel $650 million of eligible medical debt.
鈥淭he goal is to make it so that having medical debt no longer has negative consequences on one's credit,鈥� McLaughlin said. 鈥淪o there's still access to loans and financing to help folks with their day-to-day expenses.鈥�
McLaughlin said medical providers have used credit reporting as leverage to collect unpaid medical bills. If new legislation prevents them from doing that, McLaughlin said that may lead to providers to ask for payment before providing care.
鈥淧re-service collection requirements in non-emergency situations of course could be an outcome of the legislation,鈥� McLaughlin said. 鈥淏ut also potentially more use of small claims court or legal actions to attempt to collect medical debt.鈥�
McLaughlin has three suggestions for those faced with a large bill from medical procedure that could lead to high medical debt:
1. Ask the hospital about their financial assistance program.
鈥淢any hospitals in 海角换妻 offer financial assistance to patients with household incomes up to 500% of the federal poverty level,鈥� McLaughlin said. 鈥淎 family of four can earn around $150 to $160,000 per year and still qualify for a significant discount on the out-of-pocket medical costs.鈥�
2. Review the bill for errors.
鈥淩equest that itemized statement with full breakdown.鈥� McLaughlin said.
3. Hire a billing advocate.
There鈥檚 a that can help you find a patient advocate. assistance, as well.
