According to an article in Health Affairs, medical debt in collections peaks when individuals are in their late 20s. This is because younger people tend to make less money than those in their 50s or 60s. Furthermore, younger people are more likely to not have insurance. Even if a person has insurance, the policy likely comes with a deductible that an individual could have trouble paying. However, there are ways that those dealing with such debt in Mississippi and throughout the country can better manage it.

For instance, it could be possible to negotiate with a care provider to reduce the bill. This may work best for those who can provide detailed income and other financial information to demonstrate their ability to pay. A medical bill advocate may be able to negotiate on a patient’s behalf. In some cases, a substantial portion of the balance could be forgiven when going this route.

If that doesn’t work, a doctor or hospital may allow an individual to make payments each month. In the event that a bill is already in collections, there is a chance that the debt collector will take less than the amount owed to resolve the matter. Individuals who are searching for a way to pay down a medical debt could try to crowdfund the money or ask family members for a loan.

Those who are struggling to pay off a medical debt might benefit by filing for either liquidation or reorganization bankruptcy. Doing so may make it possible to put an end to creditor phone calls or other debt collection activities. This might mean keeping a home, car or other property that is secured with collateral. It may also mean that a creditor lawsuit could be postponed until the bankruptcy case has been resolved.

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