If you find yourself concerned about medical expenses you are not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on healthcare. Due to rising costs and economic uncertainty many individuals are finding it difficult to pay for medical care, with many households either having to go into debt for treatment or put it off altogether.

According to the recently released 2021 Healthcare in America Report by West Health and Gallup, which surveyed more than 6,600 U.S. adults, almost one-third of Americans say they have not sought treatment for a health problem in the previous three months due to cost. That percentage has tripled since March 2021.

Even households that earn more than $120,000 a year, did not seek care in the previous three months because of rising costs, up from about 3% in March and 5% in June. One-fifth of respondents also indicated they or a member of their household had a health problem worsen after postponing care due to cost issues.

Credit Karma, a consumer technology platform with more than 120 million members, suggests taking advantage of potential tax breaks that let Americans with high medical expenses take a deduction to reduce their tax bills. For 2021 taxes filed in 2022, the IRS lets you deduct qualified unreimbursed medical care expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Some examples of qualified unreimbursed medical expenses include preventative care, surgeries, visits to a psychiatrist or psychologist, prescription medications, laboratory fees that are part of medical care, and travel expenses incurred while traveling to seek care. All qualified medical expenses can be found online at the IRS website.

If you have health insurance, know what your plan will and will not cover before making an appointment. This can help you avoid unexpected expenses. If you do not have insurance, notify the medical provider, and ask for an estimate of how much you can expect to be charged. Try negotiating for a lower cost, and for a payment plan that is manageable before you move ahead with your treatment. Consult online resources such as Healthcare Bluebook to compare your quoted estimate to prices from other providers in your area. It may make sense to travel out of your area to another provider who will save you money. Be sure to check their reviews and references.

Always review your medical bill before leaving the office to ensure all charges are accurate. Do not be afraid to ask for an explanation of charges. This can help you from incurring charges for billing mistakes by your provider. If you had a procedure or doctor visit however did not receive a bill, contact your healthcare provider to ensure they have the correct address and contact information on file.

Check your credit reports for suspicious behavior. If you notice a bill for a doctor’s appointment or hospital visit you never made, you can dispute the charges and get them removed from your credit reports.

If faced with medical debt or other types of unsecured debt such as payday and installment loans, credit cards, and cell phone bills, contact Progressive Debt Relief*. They offer free consultations to discuss your options to become debt free. Schedule by calling 1.877.590.1847 or submitting the contact form.

*Progressive Debt Relief does not provide legal or tax advice and the above should not be construed as such.