“One in five adults in the U.S. — about 53 million people — are caregivers who provide support for a relative or friend with an illness or disability. Many do so without financial compensation. The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP published a lengthy report on unpaid family caregivers in the U.S. — Caregiving in the U.S.: 2020 Report — based on data collected in 2019. Family caregivers are defined as people who have assisted children with special needs or adults at some point in the last 12 months.”
‘Bill of the Month’: The Series That Dissects and Slashes Medical Bills
“Over 6½ years ago, KFF Health News and NPR kicked off “Bill of the Month,” a crowdsourced investigation highlighting the impact of medical bills on patients.
The goal was to understand how the U.S. health care system generates outsize bills and to empower patients with strategies to avoid them. We asked readers and listeners to submit their bills — and they kept coming. “Bill of the Month” has received nearly 10,000 submissions, each a picture of a health system’s dysfunction and the financial burden it places on the patients.”
Nearly One Third of Americans Aren’t Filling Their Prescriptions Because of High Costs
“Millions of Americans rely on prescription medications each year. But how easy is it to get them, and how much are people really paying for them? The GoodRx Research Team ran a 9-month survey to try to answer these questions.
Below we walk through insights from our survey of 9,000 Americans. We highlight the significant financial and accessibility challenges they face in filling their prescriptions.”
What Are Manufacturer Copay Cards?
When insurance isn’t enough, many people turn to manufacturer copay cards to help offset some of the costs. These savings programs, which come directly from medication manufacturers, can help patients who are struggling to afford expensive brand-name medications. But they have also been met with criticism, as some say that they end up increasing total costs.
Using the ER for Non-Emergencies Is Expensive — Here Are Other Options
The average cost for an emergency room visit is $2,600 without insurance, according to UnitedHealthcare. Health System Tracker, a partnership between Peterson Center on Healthcare and Kaiser Family Foundation, recently came out with a report showing a slightly lower average of $2,453. You have other options!
