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Page 18 avy eniiooravvy S iorn or avvyavy vvy io iori by Jim Miller How to Reduce Your Medical Bills Dear Savvy Senior, What tips do you recommend to Medicare benefi ciaries dealing with hefty medical bills? My husband recently had open heart surgery and is recovering slowly, but the medical bills are coming in fast and furious and they’re putting us in medical debt. Struggling in Springfi eld Dear Struggling, I’m sorry to hear about your billing struggles, but medical debt has unfortunately become a chronic problem in this country. According to U.S. Census data 19 percent of Americans households carry medical debt, including 10 percent of households headed by someone 65 or older. Even seniors on Medicare can easily get snagged in a web of complicated billing and coverage problems. To help you slash your medical bills, here are some tips recommended by health care experts that you should try. Double check your bills: Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, including duplicate charges or charges for services you never received. If you’re facing a high bill and are on the hook for some portion of it, request itemized invoices from the hospital and other providers that detail everything you were charged for and go through them line by line. If you fi nd something you don’t understand or fi nd fi shy contact the provider for an explanation or a correction. Wait for your EOB: Doctors’ offi ces and hospitals may mail initial bills to you before they even submit them to your health insurer. So, hold off on any payment until you receive an explanation of benefi ts (EOB) from your provider – Medicare, supplemental Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or private insurer. This will show what you owe after your insurance has paid its portion. If your EOB shows that your insurer is refusing to pay for services that you think should be covered, call them to see whether it’s a correctable mistake, such as a coding error for a certain test or treatment. If it’s truly a denial of coverage, you may need to fi le an appeal. For details on how to fi le a Medicare appeal, see Medicare.gov/claims-appeals/how-do-i-fi le-an-appeal. Ask for a discount: Call the hospital’s accounting offi ce or the billing staff at your doctor’s practice and ask if they can reduce your bill. You’d be surprised how often this works. Or if you have the funds to pay the entire bill, ask the hospital or provider for a “prompt pay” discount which may save you 15 percent or more. If it’s best for you to pay your bills over time, ask the billing offi ce to set up a no-interest payment plan for you. It’s in the provider’s interest to work with you to obtain payment. You can also call the hospital where your husband had his surgery and ask a billing specialist if the facility off ers fi nancial assistance. According to the American Hospital Association, about half of U.S. hospitals are nonprofi t. This means they are required to off er free or discounted services in some instances. This is usually reserved for low to moderate income patients who have limited or no health insurance, but requirements vary from hospital to hospital. If you’ve gotten nowhere on your own, contact the Patient Advocate Foundation (patientadvocate.org, 800-532-5274) who can help you understand and negotiate your medical bills, free of charge. Or consider hiring a medical billing professional to negotiate for you but be aware that these services can cost upward of $100 an hour. You can fi nd potential candidates through the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (advoconnection. com). Be sure to choose someone who is credentialed by the Patient Advocate Certifi cation Board. 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, December 23, 2022 BHRC| FROM PAGE 8 The bill also expands existing anti-bullying law in schools to include recognition for students who may be more vulnerable to bullying or harassment because of their natural hairstyle. Another provision requires the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination to investigate complaints fi led against employers who have discriminated based on natural hairstyle. “On the long march toward justice, and especially racial justice, the Senate’s unanimous passage of this legislation marks another step forward,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “We would not be at this point without the great courage and strength of Mya and Deanna Cook, who as 15-year-old students faced discrimination and abuse from their high school for their hairstyles, and bravely stood up for their rights and those of so many other Black women.” “This is an historic moment for Massachusetts. I am beyond delighted that the [bill] passed unanimously in the House, and words cannot describe how great it is to see the years of hard work from advocates, staff , legislators and community members bear fruit,” said co-sponsor Rep. Steve Ultrino (D-Malden). The votes in our chamber sent a clear message: race-based discrimination has no place in our commonwealth. On this day, we ensured that a person’s racial and cultural identity will no longer be an obstacle to their education, professional career and path to success.” There was a light moment during fl oor debate on the bill. “As you may have guessed, I have never experienced hair discrimination,” said Rep. Ultrino, who is bald. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Sen. Jason Lewis 5090) Yes REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE (H House 137-16, Senate 40-0, approved and Gov. Baker signed into law a bill designed to further protect reproductive health care and those who perform abortions in the Bay State. The measure specifi - cally declares that both reproductive health care and gender-affi rming care are rights secured by the constitution or laws of Massachusetts and would shield providers of reproductive and gender-affi rming care and their patients from out-of-state legal action. The measure would ensure that patients over 24 weeks of pregnancy are able to receive an abortion in Massachusetts because of a grave fetal diagnosis that indicates the fetus is incompatible with sustained life outside of the uterus without extraordinary medical interventions and requires that those decisions are made between the patient and their treating physician. Other provisions include preventing the state’s cooperation with anti-abortion and anti-gender-affi rming care laws in other states; mandating health insurance coverage for abortion and abortion-related care with no cost-sharing; ensuring access to emergency contraception; and providing confi dentiality to providers of reproductive and gender-affi rming care;clarifying that vending machines may dispense over-thecounter drugs, such as Plan B – the “morning after” pill; andensuring access to medication abortion on all public college and university campuses. “Massachusetts remains steadfast in its commitment to protect access to reproductive health care services, especially in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade,” said Gov. Baker. “The court’s decision has major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to these services, and our administration took quick action in the hours following that decision by issuing an executive order to protect access here in the commonwealth. This new legislation signed today builds on that action by protecting patients and providers from legal interference from more restrictive laws in other states.” “In the face of an increasing amount of anti-abortion and anti-gender-affirming care laws enacted across the country, Massachusetts continues to serve as a national leader in protecting these essential rights with the passage of this legislation,” said Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington), the lead sponsor of the measure and Senate chair of the Committee on Health Care Financing. “We must do everything we can to protect the rights of our providers, patients and visitors to the commonwealth. "As a candidate for governor in 2014, Charlie Baker was sold as a Bill Weld-style Republican—socially liberal but fiscally conservative," said Catholic Action League Executive Director C.J. Doyle. "The abortion expansion bill which he signed … imposes new burdens on taxpayers and business owners, increases the scope of government—with state colleges now dispensing Plan B abortion pills and denies personal freedom of choice for those opposed to abortion. There is no conscience clause for pharmacists, business owners or non-profi t organizations, and the religious exemption is so narrowly drawn that most Catholic educational institutions will not qualify under it. Baker's legacy on this legislation is one of higher spending, bigger government, and less personal freedom.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against the bill.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Sen. Jason Lewis Yes CLEAN ENERGY AND REDUCED EMISSIONS (H 5060) House 143-9, Senate 38-2, approved and Gov. Baker signed into law legislation that would expand the clean energy industry and reduce emissions from the transportation and building sectors across the state with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. “Massachusetts has an opportunity to meet the urgency of the climate crisis through our nation-leading innovation, workforce and energy resources,” said Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin), House chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “This timely and comprehensive piece of legislation is carefully calibrated to provide a portfolio of robust clean energy, including off shore wind and decarbonize our largest-emitting industries, all while attracting a world-class supply chain, intensive workforce training initiatives and the investment necessary to prepare our electric distribution system for the energy needs of the future.” “The bill dramatically increases the cost of energy in Massachusetts at a time when energy costs already hover at record highs, and the price of all other goods are increasing due to record infl ation,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “People won’t be able to aff ord this legislation, especially the drastic changes that will be needed in older homes. Everyone laments how expensive housing is, yet the Legislature just made housing more expensive by passing this bill.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Sen. Jason Lewis Yes CREATING WOMEN’S RIGHTS HISTORY TRAIL PROGRAM (S 2802) House 154-0, Senate 39-0, approvedand the governor signed into law a bill that would require the state to develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail Program. The measure includes requiring the state to designate properties and sites that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and women’s suff rage. Another provision provides that the state promote education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in the state. A 13-member Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force would be formed to research, solicit public input and make recommendations for sites, properties and attractions to be included in the trail. “Massachusetts has a rich history of involvement in the women's rights movement,” said the bill’s Senate sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Women have had a pivotal role in shaping the policies of our commonwealth, and this bill will ensure that those contributions are known and celebrated … The history of these women is our history, and we must continue to advance that history forward.” “I am humbled and proud to sponsor this legislation,” said House sponsor Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). “This legislation ensures that the many women from our commonwealth who contributed to the fabric of our nation and democracy are recognized, and their accomplishments preserved in our state’s history, so that their legacies may serve as inspiration for future generations of young women.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Yes Rep. Paul Donato Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Sen. Jason Lewis Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL GOV. BAKER APPOINTED TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE NCAA – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that eff ective March 1, 2023, Gov. Charlie Baker will serve as the next NCAA President, assuming the role effective March 2023. “We are excited to welcome Gov. Charlie Baker to the NCAA and eager for him to begin his work with our organization,” said Linda Livingstone, President of Baylor University and Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors. “Gov. Baker has shown a remarkable ability to bridge divides and build bipartisan consensus, taking on complex challenges in innovative and eff ective ways. As a former student-athlete himself, husband to a former college gymnast, and father to two former college football players, Gov. Baker is deeply committed to our student-athletes and enhancing their collegiate experience. These skills and perspective will be invaluable as we work with policymakers to build a sustainable model for the future of college athletics.” “I am honored to become the next president of the NCAA, an organization that impacts millions of families and countless communities across this country every day,” said Baker. “The NCAA is confronting complex and signifi cant challenges, but I am excited to get to work as the awesome opportunity college athletics provides to so many students is more than worth the challenge. And for the fans that faithfully fi ll stadiums, stands and gyms from coast to coast, I am eager to ensure the competitions we all love to follow are there for generations to come. Over the coming months, I will begin working with student-athletes and NCAA members as we modernize college sports to suit today’s world, while preserving its essential value.” CITIZENS FOR LIMITED TAXATION (CLT) CLOSES DOWN AND HANDS OFF TO THE MASS FISCAL ALLIANCE – Chip Ford, the executive director of CLT announced that the group will end its 48-year operation at the end of the year. “It’s a new era, time for new energy to move the tax limitation movement forward in Massachusetts,” said Ford. “For going on half a century CLT has carried the burden of leadership in that indispensable mission. The time has come to pass the tax limitation torch on to another generation. Fortunately for Bay State taxpayers, and especially for CLT members, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance is positioned well to run with that torch.” “We thank Chip Ford for having faith in us to carry on the tremendous legacy of Citizens for Limited Taxation,” said Paul Craney, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “From the 5 percent income tax roll back, to Prop 2½ and Chapter 62F, CLT’s legacy continues to have a measurable, positive impact on the businesses and working families of Massachusetts every day. We look forward to preserving that legacy and continuing on their mission of taxpayer protection for decades to come.” The late Barbara Anderson, the group’s fi rst executive director died in 2016 and associate director Chip Faulkner died in 2019. Both passed away at the age of 73. Chip Ford, CLT’s co-director alongside Barbara since 1996 then executive director since 2016, turned 73 last month and decided it’s time to step aside. “I’m not particularly superstitious,” Ford said, “but why tempt the fates? With Paul Craney and his team at MassFiscal so ably advancing the mission this is a good time and place for CLT and me to take our leave.” CLT led the charge for many tax savings measures over the years including passage of Proposition 2 ½ which limited property taxes, repeal of the 1975 7.5 percent surtax and the roll back of the 1989 income tax hike. Most recently, CLT was responsible for the return of $2.9 billion to taxpayers based on Chapter 62F, a 1986 law proposed by CLT and approved by the voters. That law requires that tax revenue above a certain amount collected by the state go back to the taxpayers. The state has determined that the net state tax revenues of BHRC | SEE PAGE 20

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