What do you need to know about medical bankruptcies?Treatment costs.

For families or individuals who do not have health or dental insurance, a simple visit to the doctor or urgent care can cost thousands of leva. And for those living paycheck to paycheck, expenses like these can be disastrous. Even those who have insurance have to pay extra.

From negotiating lower payments to using crowdfunding, this article offers seven tips on how to avoid "medical bankruptcy" and how to manage your medical expenses.

Treatment cost statistics you need to know

It is very common for Bulgarian families to run out of money for treatment. This leads to so-called "medical bankruptcy" or inability to pay for treatment. In Bulgaria about 600 000 people are uninsured, have no medical insurance and cannot afford the costs of treatment and expensive medical procedures.

For these reasons, the following phenomena are observed, which are very bad for health:

• • Delaying a visit to the dentist
  • Not seeing a doctor
  • Buying over-the-counter medicines
  • Children in the family have to work in order to raise funds for a parent's treatment

How to avoid medical bankruptcy and secure funds for treatment?

Although the cost of treatment can be very high, there is a way to find funds. When you don't know how to secure funds for treatment, follow these tips.

1. Don't ignore the bills

Do medical bills affect your family budget? Just like regular bills, your budget can go down if you throw medical bills in a drawer and put off paying them. It's important to notify hospitals, healthcare providers and insurers immediately if you think payment will be late or if you want to request a deferred payment plan.

Paying part of your bill, even a small amount, is still better than not paying at all - it keeps you in a better position. If you don't have the funds available to make a payment on time, use a site like pavelandreev.org (link to contact me) to secure your funds!

2. Check your treatment bills several times

Always ask for a detailed statement so you can catch if there are errors. They are more common than you think, and can end up costing you thousands of bucks if they are not ticked off. If you have questions about your bills, don't be afraid to contact your doctor and ask for clarification. Make sure all payments from you and your insurance company are applied to your bill. Also, when you buy medications from the pharmacy - look at your receipt. Often you may end up paying for something you didn't buy.

3. Negotiate lower prices

This may seem like an impossible task, but it's certainly worth a try. Call your hospital or insurance provider and ask if they would offer you a better price. You may get a "NO" a few times, but it's worth a try. Also, sometimes you can get lower rates for paying cash or if you pay in a way that is convenient for them.

4. Don't use your credit card often

Very often using your credit card and spending money "up front" leads to bankruptcy. Whether this is true or not, it's best to avoid using credit cards to pay for your medical expenses as this only adds interest and makes it more expensive. It's illegal for hospitals to deny you medical treatment, so don't rush to use a credit card if it's the only payment method you have right now. You can work out a payment plan for hospital services and talk to them.

5. Apply for financial help

Many hospitals offer emergency financial assistance programs for those who are having to pay huge medical bills. If you are unemployed, uninsured, or just need extra financial help, then seeking assistance from your hospital may be a good start. Most financial aid programs require you to fill out a comprehensive application and provide proof of your financial situation.

6. Consider taking out a bank loan

Applying for a bank loan is often a solution for people who need cash and don't currently have it. While this solution is a reliable way to get money, keep in mind that applying for a loan can take time. It also means paying an interest rate on the total loan amount and many additional fees.

7. Use crowdfunding to pay off medical debt

Crowdfunding is a proven way to quickly raise funds from family, friends and even strangers who want to show their support. Setting up a medical fundraiser gives you an opportunity to tell your story and can keep you from falling into "medical bankruptcy." While it's always difficult to ask for help, you may be surprised at the number of people who will be willing to help you shake off your debt.

Many people have approached the PavelAndreev.ORG team asking for help for their cause. 
Start a campaign on PavelAndreev.ORG.

Find help with medical expenses today

Raising funds through the PavelAndreev.ORG platform will help you tackle your financial problem for treatment. You will also receive moral support from the people who regularly visit the site.