There's an estimated $195 billion of medical debt in America. But just because a medical bill comes in the mail doesn't mean you have to pay that exact price. In this special episode from our friends at Life Kit, you'll learn how to eliminate, reduce or negotiate a medical bill. If you liked this episode, you can check out more Life Kit here. They have episodes on how to choose a bank, and how to save money at the grocery store. This episode of Life Kit was produced by Sylvie Douglis. Their visuals editor is Beck Harlan, and their digital editor is Danielle Nett. Meghan Keane is their supervising editor, and Beth Donovan is their executive producer. Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
This is Planet Money from NPR.
Hey there.
Today we have a special episode from our friends over at NPR's life kit.
For a lot of people, a medical crisis is also a financial crisis.
40% of adults in the US have some kind of medical debt.
We're talking credit cards, collection agencies, maybe the friend or bank you borrowed some money from.
Our friends over at Lifekit have put together an episode all about how to lower medical bills.
Because, look, even healthcare debt is negotiable.
Here's that episode.
Hey, everybody.
Marielle Seguera here.
About ten years ago, Jared Walker says he and his wife were sitting at home when she got a phone call.
It was bad news.
Her aunt had passed away from cancer.
And then a few minutes later, I got a phone call.
My cousin had gone into labor, seven weeks premature, baby needed a heart surgery to live.
And both families kind of hit with these medical crises.
And I remember hearing conversations like, how are we going to pay for it?
That was Jared's first real run in with the us healthcare system, the first time he realized that for a lot of people in the US, a medical crisis is also a financial crisis.
A few years later, he started dollar four, now, a national nonprofit that helps people eliminate their medical bills.