Page 10 Savvy Senior by Jim Miller What to Do When Medical Bills Pile Up Dear Savvy Senior, I’m 63 and recently had a hospital stay that left me with bills I can’t afford to pay. I had Affordable Care Act health insurance, but after my premiums went up in January, I had to drop my coverage. Now I’m overwhelmed by medical bills. What can I do? --Struggling Patient Dear Struggling, You’re definitely not alone. Medical debt is very common. About 1 in 12 Americans are dealing with it, and many had insurance when the bills started piling up. The good news is there are ways to reduce what you owe and make it more manageable. Here are some steps that can help. Check your bills Medical billing errors are more common than you might think, so start by taking a close look at every bill and explanation of benefits you receive. Watch for duplicate charges, services you did not receive or prices that seem off. If something does not look right, call your provider’s billing office and ask for an itemized bill. Do not be shy about asking questions. Even small mistakes can add up. Ask about help Most hospitals, especially nonprofit ones, are required to offer financial assistance programs, often called charity care. Depending on your income, you may qualify to have part or even all of your bill forgiven. Call the hospital billing office and ask specifically about financial assistance. You can also visit DollarFor.org, a nonprofit that helps patients apply for charity care programs at no cost. Negotiate costs If you do not qualify for assistance, you still have options. Many hospitals and doctors are willing to work with patients, especially if you reach out early. Ask if they can lower the bill or offer a discount if you can pay something upfront. You can also request a no interest payment plan to spread the cost out over time. If this feels overwhelming, a medical billing advocate can help. The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates, at aphadvocates. org, can connect you with professionals who review bills and negotiate on your behalf. Find programs Since you recently lost coverage, it is also worth checking whether you qualify for Medicaid, especially if your income has dropped. You can apply through Healthcare.gov or your state Medicaid office. Another helpful tool is BenefitsCheckUp.org, from the National Council on Aging, which can point you to programs that help lower health care and prescription costs. Get support You do not have to handle this on your own. There are several trusted organizations that offer free or low-cost help. The Patient Advocate Foundation (patientadvocate.org) provides case management services and can help you find financial assistance. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org) offers nonprofit credit counseling and guidance on managing debt. You can also visit NeedyMeds.org to locate programs that can help lower the cost of prescriptions and other medical expenses. The most important thing is to act sooner rather than later. Ignoring medical bills can lead to collections and added stress, but many providers are willing to work with you if you reach out. Start by reviewing your bills, then explore assistance programs and payment options. With some persistence, you can often lower what you owe and set up a plan that fits your budget. Medical debt is common, even among people who had insurance, but it is often negotiable, and there are real resources available to help you through it. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 24, 2026 ALUMNI | FROM PAGE 7 touching the lives of so many students and educators,” Colantuoni said. “We wish him the very best and thank him for all the support he has shown Malden High School and the Alumni Association.” “To those who know me, I am ofMUSINGS | FROM PAGE 5 Republic Stink Bucket emanated the most repulsive odor I have ever witnessed! A stink that would not shrink that stuck to my nostrils for days, and much like the Seinfeld episode “The Smelly Car” the stench was all-pervading, taking root inside my own vehicle! True story! • Speaking of the 621 Tavern on Broadway, Christian, his father Joe and I stopped in last week and had a pizza described by 16-year-old Christian as the “best pizza I ever had!” How ’bout that! My steak tip dinner with mashies? I cleaned that plate up as quickly as you can say “Mikey Powers was not only a legendary hockey player but may have been just as good at playing softball.” Insert smiley face. • What joy it was to spot two paisans of many years — Tommy Lubin and Terry Mathews — at their usual spots at the 621. Two stand-up guys with more knowledge of Malden and Malden sports in their drinking hands than the rest of Malden, combined! Hope to see you guys again soon and remember, stay thirsty, my friends! “What’s the buzz, tell me what’s a happening…” About time we had another Police Chief from Edgeworth! Chief Glenn Cronin did a fabulous job and will be greatly missed, but deep down you just knew he was holding the position until another proud Edgeworthian stepped up to the plate. According to ten never this speechless when it comes to things like this,” Mastrangelo said. “I am humbled by this great honor. I loved Malden High School, its students and staff, and I truly appreciated all that the Alumni Association does for everyone.” The Malden High School Alumni Association hosts a Hall of Fame one of my most reliable sources (thank you, former Chief Kevin Molis), Marc Gatcomb becomes the sixth Chief in recent memory to hail from that beloved neighborhood. That’s a remarkable run for a few square blocks tucked away in Ward 2. What many people don’t realize is that Chief Gatcomb grew up on Hubbard Street, right in the heart of Edgeworth. His childhood neighborhood was filled with future public servants. One-time Police Chief Jimmy Keohane lived just around the corner on Russell Street, while firefighter Jimmy Dockery called nearby Charles Street home. There must have been something in the water over there (or the proximity to the AOH and the IA possibly? LOL). Another trusted source tells me that as a kid Marc owned just about every Matchbox car ever made. Looking back, maybe that was early training for managing a fleet of cruisers. Just for the record, Marc isn’t simply a great guy in 2026 — actually, he has always been one of the genuinely good people. Friendly, approachable and respected by everyone who knows him, he’s the kind of person who has earned every promotion through hard work, professionalism and integrity. Word on the street is that he’ll continue to lead the department with honesty, respect and dedication while keeping the Malden Police Department among the finest law enforcement agencies Induction every other year to honor individuals who have graduated from Malden High School, as well as their legacy and their successes at Malden High. For more information about the Malden High School Alumni Association and for a complete list of past honorees, visit www.maldenhighlumni.com. in the Commonwealth. Popular consensus among the unwashed masses of Maldonia? There wasn’t a better choice for Chief than 40-year veteran Marc Gatcomb (and yes, I know — he doesn’t look old enough to have 40 years on the job). One final tidbit before I wrap this up: Did you know Chief Gatcomb’s son may actually be more famous than his dad? Stay tuned... As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — god bless your very soul, Rose Ann Tomasello. Destined for greatness, this MHS Class of 1975 graduate blazed a trail as bright and long as any before (or after) her. Rose was the heart and soul of her family, of her large circle of lifelong friends, to any and all who had the honor of crossing her path, and she MAY have been the best athlete (male or female) to ever come out of Edgeworth. From the Emerson School to Devir Park to Malden High School and beyond. My forever friend. Always in our hearts and minds. May her memory be a blessing. Postscript: Raise your hand if you knew the six Chiefs from Edgeworth were Marc, Kevin Molis, Kenny Coye, Jimmy Keohane, Antonio Fermano and Eddie Trabucco. —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol. com for comments, compliments or criticisms.
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