THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026 Page 17 1. In July 1903 the country’s fi rst police cruiser began service in what city? 2. In what trilogy would you find the Undying Lands and the port city Grey Havens? 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 aff ord to pay. I had Aff ordable 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 defi nitely 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 benefi ts 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 offi ce 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 nonprofi t ones, are required to off er fi nancial 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 nonprofi t 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 offi ce. 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 off er free or low-cost help. The Patient Advocate Foundation (patientadvocate.org) provides case management services and can help you fi nd fi - nancial assistance. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org) offers nonprofi t 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 fi ts 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 questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5, Norman, OK 7070. 3. On July 24, 1980, the Quietly Confident Quartet of what down under country won the Olympics’ men’s swimming 4x100 meter medley relay? 4. How is a shroud related to a ship? 5. What are courgettes? 6. On July 25, 1908, Tokyo University Professor Kikunae Ikeda received a patent for extracting MSG from what? 7. What is a soccer forward also called? 8. How are Nantasket Roads and President Roads similar? 9. On July 26, 1856, who was born who received an Academy Award for his screenplay of his play “Pygmalion”? 10. What is Black Bottom: a candy, canyon or dance? 11. July 27 is Bagpipe Appreciation Day; what is a bagpipe chanter? 12. Kool-Aid was inspired by what gelatin product? 13. Marshmallows originated in what country: France, Ireland or USA? 14. On July 28, 1800, the oldest continuously operating police force began where: Boston, London or Paris? 15. How are Annie, Cinderella and Oliver Twist similar? 16. What are the two meanings of “brig”? 17. On July 29, 1914, what canal was opened that borders on a town with the name of a food? 18. How are O, HO and N similar? 19. In June a Coloradan grew the largest trap on what kind of plant? 20. July 30 is National Cheesecake Day; what trumpeter known for “Grazing in the Grass” said, “Once in a while, I treat myself to a cheesecake or carrot cake”? Answers 1. Boston; it was a chauffeur-driven Stanley Steamer and seated an offi cer high enough “to allow him to look over the back fences” 2. “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien 3. Australia (The team’s senior member gave them their nickname.) 4. A rope from a ship’s masthead to support a mast 5. What zucchini are called in some places (e.g., Britain and France) 6. A seaweed (Laminaria japonica) that his wife used to make dashi stock 7. Striker 8. Two deep places for ships to anchor while awaiting favorable tides to get to Boston 9. George Bernard Shaw (“Pygmalion” had a later fi lm adaptation, “My Fair Lady.”) 10. Dance 11. A reed pipe with finger holes; it plays the melody. 12. Jell-O 13. France 14. London (Thames River Police; now called Marine Policing Unit) 15. Fictional orphans 16. Type of two-masted ship; a place (like on a ship) for temporarily keeping U.S. Navy offenders 17. Cape Cod Canal (Sandwich) 18. Types of scales in indoor model railroading 19. Venus flytrap (2.59 inches, Guinness World Record) 20. Hugh Masekela
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