Kare11
A guide to handling major medical bills
Just because you have health insurance doesn’t mean you won’t have major medical bills. We sat down with Consumers’ Checkbook for some advice on how to handle them.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Here’s an interesting financial fact: Two-thirds of all people who file for bankruptcy in the U.S. cite medical issues as the reason — either the bills themselves or the loss of work because of their medical conditions.
It’s also true that more people than ever have access to health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, but what that doesn’t mean, is that more people can suddenly afford medical bills.
“A lot of people have insurance that is basically catastrophic coverage, so the first $3,000 or $4,000 each year, they have to pay out of pocket, and a lot of people just can’t afford to do that,” says Kevin Brasler with Consumers’ Checkbook.
Some 66% of all bankruptcies are linked to medical issues, according to CNBC. That’s more than 530,000 families a year who feel they have no way out. But there are some things you can do to combat high bills, including one that may seem counterintuitive.
“We spoke to a number of experts who advised, ‘Look, never pay the first bill when it comes to medical care,’” says Brasler.
That’s right — don’t pay it right away. And there’s good reason for that.
The first bill isn’t always accurate.
“Because often the system just takes a little bit of time to catch up right? It takes a while for the provider to bill the health insurance plan, and for the health insurance plan to approve the claim and pay the provider back,” he says.
Brasler says mistakes get made, too. Sometimes providers don’t code things properly, which can result in the insurance company denying your claim. Or they simply didn’t submit the claim to your insurance at all. It doesn’t mean you owe the whole amount; it just means you need to make a few calls to get it sorted out.
“What patients need to know is that you can often negotiate these bills down,” he says.
“A lot of hospitals, even though people get these enormous bills, have programs in place where they basically act as charities. They are willing to write off a certain amount of debt if you can prove you have a need, and we found that with a lot of these hospitals, the cut-off is if your family makes six figures, you can still qualify,” says Brasler.
And finally, if a bill is too big to pay all at once, don’t be afraid to ask if you can pay in installments. Providers know getting their money over time is better than not getting it at all.
You can read more about medical bills from Consumers’ Checkbook here.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
Get the latest money-saving tips from Take KARE of your Money in our YouTube playlist:
The “Westopolis” name is meant to highlight the cities’ vibrancy and proximity to Minneapolis.
The marketing and tourism organization formerly known as Discover St. Louis Park has rebranded this fall with a bold, new name:
The organization, which launched in 2011 and grew to also incorporate Golden Valley in 2017, began using the “Westopolis” name this month. According to Westopolis President and CEO Becky Bakken, the name is designed to highlight the vibrancy and urban character of St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, which both border Minneapolis and have a combined population of nearly 75,000.
“A lot is behind the name,” Bakken said. “Westopolis just kept speaking to us. In this process, we really leaned into the fact that we are the closest neighbor to downtown Minneapolis. To be honest, we are closer to downtown than parts of Minneapolis are. And it really felt like our primary differentiator.”
Bakken said the change to “Westopolis” is also meant to help the organization communicate better with event planners and out-of-town vendors, who sometimes confuse “St. Louis Park” with St. Louis, MO. Between St. Louis Park and Golden Valley, the cities boast nine hotels with nearly 1,500 combined rooms, and the tourism organization now known as Westopolis plays a key role in drawing visitors and filling those rooms.
“When people are looking for a place to go, that aren’t from this area, they know the big city. They know Minneapolis. We wanted to make sure they knew how close we were to that, and once they’re here they discover all the other things,” Bakken said. “The name is unique, it’s different. It’s not on a map, we understand that. We think the name is edgy, and when we’re working with planners, they’re gonna lean in and say, ‘tell me more about this place.'”
This week, Westopolis is enjoying a nice boost from the Twin Cities Film Fest, a staple of St. Louis Park that draws talent and crew members to the city’s West End from across the country. It’s the kind of annual event that Westopolis would love to see more of in the coming years.
“The West End was sort of the rationale for why Discover St. Louis Park — and now Westopolis — exists. It’s this great area that is a real driver for visitors,” Bakken said. “But both communities have their thing. Golden Valley has a big chunk of Theodore Wirth that we love to claim, and Brookview that has a lot of outdoor activities, so we really like to lean into this urban oasis.”
To unveil the new brand, Westopolis rolled out a website and held a launch party this fall.
“Change is change, and that’s always interesting,” Bakken said, “but mostly people are really excited about the new name and we’re ready to market the new name.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey questioned the legality of the new measure while issuing his veto on Wednesday.
MINNEAPOLIS — The City of Minneapolis will move ahead with new carbon fees after a contentious back and forth at City Hall concluded with the council overriding the mayor’s veto.
The new fees, which target carbon emissions from city businesses, will be implemented on July 1, 2025, according to the council.
Minneapolis already has a pollution fee system, known as the Pollution Control Annual Registration or PCAR. The fees go into the city’s Green Cost Share program, helping pay the costs companies incur bringing down their emissions.
The current PCAR system covers emissions of other air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, heavy particulates, and sulfur oxides, nitrous oxides, lead, and carbon monoxide. Companies are required to report their emissions levels to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which, in turn, charges fees of $100 per ton.
The City Council voted Oct. 2 to add carbon dioxide to the list. The resolution seeks to impose a $452 per ton fee for carbon dioxide.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey questioned the legality of the new measure while issuing his veto on Wednesday.
“I am all on board for PCAR fees—but it’s time the Council stops playing games and follows the processes in place to enact lasting change,” said Mayor Jacob Frey, in a statement to KARE.
Before his veto was overridden, Frey had told KARE that if the measure were to move forward, companies hit with the fees would likely sue the city and win.
Council Member Robin Wonsley, who co-authored the measure, took to X (formerly Twitter) to respond to Frey’s veto on Wednesday night.
Wisconsin law enforcement said Katrina Baur, and her partner, Jesse Vang, are facing charges in connection with 3-year-old Elijah Vue’s death, including obstruction.
TWO RIVERS, Wis. — About a month after 3-year-old Elijah Vue’s remains were recovered from a private property in Wisconsin, state authorities announced Thursday that charges have been filed against the boy’s mother and her partner.
Wisconsin law enforcement said Katrina Baur, and her partner, Jesse Vang, are facing charges in connection with 3-year-old Elijah Vue’s death, including obstruction.
Vue went missing in February and it wasn’t until September that his body was recovered and identified.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings