Consumer protections announced in medical debt realm
Following is a scenario that many consumers in Texas and nationally can undoubtedly relate to. Imagine that you recently underwent a medical procedure. You have medical insurance, which covered your care. However, and as these things typically go, you are in the dark regarding what you personally owe, because your insurer needs time to go […]
Medical debt: often easy to incur and hard to eliminate
Here’s the bottom-line question underlying the focal point of today’s blog post: Why is medical debt such a huge problem in the United States? And, indeed, it is a big problem. A writer in one media article focusing on this singular type of debt states that the legacy of the 21st century thus far is […]
Aggressive debt collectors: special nemesis for many seniors
“Older Americans deserve to be treated with the respect they have earned.” Although most people would readily agree with that statement recently offered by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray, the reality for many American seniors is that their contacts with one select group of people are sadly lacking in conferred respect Rather, […]
Medical debt continues to plague, perplex millions of consumers
A spokesperson for a trade group representing the nation’s major credit reporting agencies (think TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) states that 98 percent of all the credit reports in the United States “have no material errors.” That sounds great, doesn’t it? When it is taken into account, though, that the so-called “Big Three” reporting agencies deal […]
Acknowledged: the singular nature of medical debt
Media pundits and a host of other commentators who focus closely upon debt relief matters in the United States have long noted that medical costs are flatly a different animal when compared with other forms of consumer debt. Any person in Texas or elsewhere who is saddled with a painfully high level of medical debt […]
Regarding nation’s debt crisis, are we digging out or digging in?
So, are we doing better or not? Has the national economy at least stopped snarling at the middle class sufficiently enough over the past couple years to enable most challenged debtors to regain their financial footing? These questions certainly seem reasonable enough to ask, and at this time. After all, the monstrous housing collapse and […]
Debt-settlement industry: persistently under fire
Talk about a business niche that has an unrelenting image problem. Once again, the debt-settlement industry is making media waves for the adverse repercussions visited on consumers across the country who solicit the “assistance” of companies that pledge debt relief and simply don’t deliver on their promises. As many of our readers in Texas and […]
Prescription drug costs drive heavy medical debt, even for insured
In a 2013 survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, respondents were asked if the cost of medication had caused them to go without it in the last year. Of the adults who answered, 27 percent responded “yes.” An analyst with the Commonwealth Fund said that percentage represents an estimated 50 million individuals. More than 20 […]
Debt-relief tips centrally include this: Find a good lawyer
Virtually every consumer who has passed the time while waiting in the grocery line by scanning media headlines off the magazine rack that precedes the cash register knows that the media loves lists. Five ways to dress for success. Ten insider recommendations for scoring cheap home improvements. Fifty ways to leave your lover. And serious […]
There’s that harassing caller again: how to deal with him or her
We recently passed along a few general tips for our readers in Texas and elsewhere regarding how to respond to contacts from aggressive debt collectors (please see our blog entry dated May 2, 2014). A central recommendation for any challenged debtor is of course to secure the prompt and knowledgeable assistance of a proven bankruptcy […]