How Uncertainty Has Hit Every Pocket of Living and Tips to Help You Through It

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And just like that, we find ourselves in a lot of social, economic, and mental turmoil.

For those who have been under stress with keeping up with healthcare costs and needs, the stakes have gotten so much higher. And though it seems as if it can’t get any worse, we are only just in the beginning stages of our new reality. Here is what is happening and how you may be able to navigate some of the fallout.

Social Security

So far there are offices closing around the country leaving the short staff even more challenged. What are the effects on you?

  • If you are already receiving Social Security: There have been some people who have been dropped from Social Security roles or are late getting their payments. If you find yourself in this situation, you need to make an appointment with the Social Security Office. Make sure you have proper identification as well as payment details. There are long waits on the phone, sometimes 5-6 hours or you may be disconnected. Patience is going to be key. You may see if your office is accepting walk-ins, if so, be there in line before the office opens.
  • If you need to put in a new application for benefits: For retiree benefits, put your application in as soon as possible and put in a future date. (before retirement date).
  • If you are putting in an application for SSDI, consider working with an attorney from the beginning to eliminate application errors and delays. Before the latest office closures, it was taking approximately 255 days for an application to even be processed. That time has now increased. Also don’t forget to include the SSI request at the same time. It may allow for you to get some income while the SSDI is being processed.

If you need to apply for Traditional Medicare: Many Medicare workers have been terminated, making accessing the department even more challenging than it was before.  Know that your part B comes out of your social security payment if you are receiving one. Otherwise, you will be billed for the premium. Apply as soon as you can for Medicare and put an effective date on the application. (Three months before your birth month).How U certainty

ACA-Affordable Care Act

This government sponsored insurance program has subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. There is rumor that it may happen before then. If you are covered under one of the healthcare plans, review your needs and options. If you are currently getting help through a subsidy, know that your subsidy may be going away and you will have a much larger premium to contend with. Where will you get the additional funds? Do you have savings or higher income that can compensate? Can you get on a spouse’s plan? Has your income dropped enough that you may qualify for Medicaid?

Medicaid

Some states have started implementing work requirements for Medicaid

Recipients. The problem some people may find is that they make too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford the ACA. Review other options, if you’re working, will your employer insurance plan be more affordable or do you have a spousal option?

Job security: This is a very challenging time especially for many government employees. We will continue to see the unemployment numbers rise and the feeling of job security is becoming more and more obscure. In the tariff war with no end in sight, there will be challenges that employers will have and hard decisions to make. Many will have to pay more for goods and services which will hurt their income stream, passing the added cost to consumers. Many may find that cutting back their workforce as an option for staying in business. Consumers who thought about retiring early may want to reconsider. Retiring in an inflationary economy that may be leading to a recession or even a stagnation where economic growth slows or stops, unemployment increases, and inflation falls. Tapping into your retirement accounts when they are low is never a good idea. Not only will you be taking money out when your account is low, you will not be participating in contributions. It will be impossible to make-up financial losses. Consider staying put until we are out of the weeds on these issues. If you can afford to put more money in your retirement plans, then do so. You will be buying in at a discount. And if you are not yet 70 years old or taking social security, if it will not be touched by the new administration, you should continue to see yearly increases in your social security benefit.

Don’t forget to take advantage of copay, coinsurance, deductible and premium reimbursement grants from non-profit organizations. There are also grants available for travel, utilities and rent.

Reach out to your local 211 for additional assistance in your area.

These are challenging times for everyone. Stress will undoubtedly touch us all. Don’t forget to be kind to yourselves and reach out for therapy. There are grants to assist you with this as well.

I try to look at it as if the cup is half full, the missing part is full of possibilities!

Life Insurance Accessibility, Usage, and Types

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Accessibility

Employer-Provided Life Insurance

Either term policy or group whole life insurance. You can enroll in these policies during your open enrollment through your employer. Employers often offer a small amount free to you as well as to spouses and eligible children.

Supplemental Life Insurance may be offered that you can sign up for at higher amounts. You are responsible for the premiums. You may also need to get medical underwriting for the supplemental amounts. This policy is often portable after your employment ends with the employer.

Private Life Insurance Policies

When you purchase from an insurance company, you are required to pay the premiums to keep the policy in force. If a term policy depends on the amount, underwriting may be required.

For permanent policies, medical underwriting is required unless it is a guaranteed issue policy that may not take into consideration your medical history. These policies are generally for lower death benefit amounts and are more costly.

Options for Usage of Cash Value or Death Benefit

Most insurance companies offer accelerated death benefit options to the insured at issue. This will allow you to access a portion of the death benefit before death if you are considered terminally ill. (Death imminent within 12 mos.).

If you have a cash value policy:

  • You may access the cash value or death benefit through withdrawal or loan.
  • Check your specific policy to confirm available options.

Considerations when dealing with cancer:

  • Obtaining new life insurance can be more difficult, if not impossible, when diagnosed.
  • If still employed with insurance options through your employer, it’s recommended to secure this coverage.

Portability options to consider:

  • Look for portability features (ability to retain coverage if employment ends), often available with supplemental life insurance.
  • Another option may be obtaining insurance through a spouse’s employer; confirm if it remains portable if they change jobs.

Accelerated Death Benefit

Many patients are not aware that most policies offer an Accelerated Death Benefit free of charge, which is included at the purchase of the policy. This allows the patient to have access to the value of the policy if the patient has a terminal illness and, depending on the policy, has a life expectancy of six months to two years. Patients with certain disabling conditions can also qualify for Accelerated Death Benefit regardless of life expectancy. This can vary between policies, but generally the benefit is 50 to 80 percent of the policy value.

Anyone who has a terminal condition should explore the Accelerated Death Benefit option. Patients with other conditions, such as ALS, those requiring artificial life support or people with organ failure who are not transplant candidates may also qualify depending on their policies and state laws.

Who can apply if it is a group policy?

The patient, their dependent spouse, or domestic partner can apply.

How can the funds be used?

Usually, there are no restrictions on how the cash can be used. Patients can pay for:

  • Medical bills
  • Medications or experimental treatment
  • Pay-off a mortgage
  • Daily living expenses
  • Making financial arrangements for their family
  • Taking a vacation

Before deciding to take the Accelerated Death Benefit, speak to the insurance company to see what limitations, if any, are attached.

Group life insurance policyholders can contact their human resources department or life insurance carrier for more information about Accelerated Death Benefit.

Types of Life Insurance and Why You Need to Know the Difference

Life insurance is a contract between the owner and the insurance company that they will pay a benefit to your beneficiaries at your death as long as you have maintained the requirements of the contract, such as paying the premium.

Many life insurance policies have built into them additional benefits that people who have become very ill may be able to utilize death benefits before death for their medical expenses. Available through an accelerated death benefit rider and is commonly free on most policies. This policy does not build cash value.

Term Insurance

This is considered a pure life policy. It is in effect for a specified period, for example: 5, 10, or even 30 years. After this period is over, the policy terminates. You may have the option to convert to a permanent policy for a period of time before termination without having any medical underwriting.

There are also Permanent, Cash Value Policies such as Whole Life, which provides a guaranteed death benefit for the entire life of the insured.

Benefits:

  • Income tax-free death benefit to beneficiaries – generally not subject to income taxes.
  • Tax-deferred growth – The cash in the policy is tax-deferred as long as funds remain in the policy.
  • Tax-efficient access to policy values via withdrawals – Under favorable First-In-First-Out will allow for cost basis to be taken free of income tax.
  • Tax-favorable access to loans for any reason – Loans that can be taken during the insured’s life against the whole life policy are not considered a taxable event, even though the policy may have a large gain in excess of the premiums paid.
  • Disability protection – The policy can continue to be funded even if you’re disabled. If you select the Waiver of Premium rider so that if you suffer a qualifying disability, your policy will continue to provide death benefit protection and have cash value growth even if you’re not still paying premiums.
  • Liability protection – In many states, the benefits of life insurance are protected from the claims of creditors.

Insurance can help you avoid probate and provide beneficiaries with privacy. Whole-life policies provide you with the ability to pay loans back from anticipated earnings. Whole-life policies can be used as collateral for loans.

The whole life policies can be either participating or non-participating, which is defined by whether or not the cash value receives dividends from the life insurance company.

Universal or Adjustable Life Policies

Provide a lot more flexibility than whole life policies. You may be able to increase the death benefit if you pass medical underwriting. The savings component usually earns a money market rate of interest. You may also be able to alter your premium payments.

Variable Life Insurance

Combines death protection with a savings account that you can invest in stocks, bonds, and money market mutual funds. The value of your policy may grow more quickly, but you also have more risk. Additionally, if your cash value underperforms, your cash value and death benefit may decrease.

Variable Universal Life Insurance

You get the features of the universal life policy and the features of a variable policy. You have the investment risk and rewards as well as the ability to adjust premiums and death benefits.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance

Offers a cash value component along with a death benefit. The cash value can earn interest through tracking an equity index selected by the insurer, and can also usually be partially allocated to a fixed-rate account.

Guaranteed Life Insurance

Pros:

  • These types of policies help provide coverage for those individuals who may have a difficult time getting life insurance due to an existing illness or health risk.
  • Guaranteed issue means you will not have to take a medical exam or complete medical questions.
  • The death benefit is usually between $2,000 and $25,000.

Cons:

  • This type of policy is available for the primary insured only.
  • May be fully functional only after a period of 2 to 3 years.
  • If the insured passes before the waiting period, the beneficiary will not receive the death benefit. A beneficiary may receive premiums paid into the policy.
  • Age requirements, usually between 50 and 80 years old. Some are available for 45 to 85.
  • Qualifications can depend on your age and location.
  • Usually more expensive than the typical term and whole life because of the greater risk.

 

Managing Financial Stress in an Uncertain Politically Charged Environment

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I noticed in the last few weeks that I’ve been having a really difficult time sleeping. I experienced heart palpitations as well as short periods of minor panic attacks. This is accompanied by a bit of a lack of interest in doing things outside of my home. One evening, a friend asked me to go out and enjoy a wonderful evening of dining and music at what once was my favorite yet forgotten restaurant. I used to frequent it often before COVID but had not since.  

When we sat down, I immediately requested that we refrain from any political discussions or anything that is at the forefront of mind in the news. He agreed. The band was already playing soft jazzy music with classics and even some great renditions of more modern pieces. For example, the lead song from the movie Barbie. It was wonderful!!!!  Unfortunately, we did get off task and reverted to politics a few times out of habit but quickly recovered ourselves to go on and enjoy the evening. It wasn’t until we had finished our dinner and sat back to listen to the music that I realized how much I missed just being!  

You may find yourselves in a similar state. I would suggest you find out how much information you need and how and when to access it. Hint: not necessarily daily and not before bedtime.  Here are some things you can do now to prepare for the worst that may happen if new regulations and cuts to needed departments are put into place but still hope for the best. 

  • Try to mitigate financial stress by making sure you have cash on hand for emergencies. Usually, 6 months of monthly expenses. If you don’t already have that, start to build it up. Look at your discretionary funds and save for those rainy days. 
  • Reduce spending by reducing unnecessary spending, such as eating out and subscriptions. Consider cooking at home and reducing grocery shopping to every other day rather than buying in bulk. Reduce food waste. 
  • The cost of goods is sure to rise, and you need to be prepared.  
  • If you need maintenance done on your car, don’t wait if you don’t have to. The tariffs may make getting parts a challenge.  
  • Review your investments and make sure they have some inflation-proof financial instruments.  
  • Really take a hard look at where you are spending your money. Consider what you want vs what you need.  

Other financial worries may include ongoing clinical trials or wondering if you should even look at one, considering changes that are now in effect or may continue with funding issues. Speak to your doctor to find out what trials you qualify for and verify that they are not in jeopardy. Also, find out where they are, as some research facilities may not be conducting that trial anymore. You may have to get additional prior authorizations, and your out-of-pocket costs may be higher if you need to travel further for the treatment. Some of the additional costs may include travel, lodging, food, etc. 

Other concerns you may have may be related to how Medicaid or Medicare may be continued to be funded as there is talk that Medicare may also be of concern as well as if the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will continue subsidies for your coverage. Medicaid may be somewhat defunded, and there may be work requirements for some enrollees. These are all areas that are rumored to be targeted by the new administration. Continue to be diligent about your insurance. Make sure you have all the information you need from your healthcare provider regarding possible new treatment recommendations as well as their associated costs. Be proactive in getting to really know your healthcare insurance as well as possible changes to your plan when and if you are entitled to them.  

Another big concern of many patients is the possibility that their current prescriptions may be more difficult to access or that their insurance carrier is no longer covering prescriptions.  Review your insurance often. Make sure you don’t ignore mailings; they may be time sensitive and contain important information regarding your coverage.  

If you find your insurance is no longer covering your medications, speak to your doctor about a generic or other alternative. You can also request an appeal and have your doctor send in another prior authorization with the medication being medically necessary.  

Be aware that some Medicare Advantage plans dropped some expensive cancer medications for this new year 2025. If you find yourself in this situation, the drug manufacturer may be able to assist you. 

Unfortunately, the uncertainty surrounding us can put tremendous stress on an already stressful situation. Be kind to yourself. There are programs available to cancer patients that will assist them in getting mental counseling.  

Also, lean on the members of your local support groups. If you aren’t a member, consider joining. Reach out to organizations that offer patient support and coaching. Talk to your healthcare provider and see if they have resources at their facilities for stress reduction. Many cancer resource centers offer programs.  

Again, be diligent and mindful of your needs. Reach out to someone if you have concerns or questions. Be kind to yourself and place your health first. ALWAYS!

Sources

The Two Big Decisions That Will Drive Health Policy

Trump Endorses Budget That Would Slash Medicaid Funding 

Cancer Drug Shortage: Causes, Trends, and Implications for Clinical Trials

Changes to Medicare Part D in 2024 and 2025

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The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 put into play some major changes to Medicare Part D enrollees. The purpose of the changes was to reduce out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs.

I always recommend Medicare enrollees review their current plan and current and anticipated medications to make sure they have the best plan for optimal coverage. Always remember that there is a separate co-pay, deductible, premium, and max out-of-pocket from your Medicare health insurance plan. 

Let’s review these upcoming changes to the current plan. In 2023, there are 4 distinct Phases to Medicare Part D, where the cost-sharing drug costs paid by Part D enrollees, Part D plans, drug manufacturers, and Medicare varies. 

Comparisons 2023-2025: 

  1. Deductible phase

    Enrollees pay 100% of their drug costs, up to $505. Note: not all Part D plans charge a deductible, however in the stand-alone Part D plans, many enrolled are responsible for a standard deductible.

  2. Initial Coverage phase

    Part D enrollees pay 25% of total drug costs and Part D plans pay 75%, up to total costs of $4660. Most Part D plans charge a mix of copayments and coinsurance rather than a standard 25% coinsurance rate.

    2025 changes     – Drug manufacturers will be required to provide a 10% discount on brand-name drugs. This will replace the 70% price discount in the coverage gap phase under the current benefit design. Part D plans will pay 60% of brand-name drug costs.

  3. Coverage Gap phase

    Part D enrollees pay 25% of the total drug costs for both brand-name and generic drugs. Part D plans pay the remainder 75% of generic drug costs and 5% of brand costs.  Drug manufacturers provide 70% price discounts on brands. Note there is no manufacturer price discount on any generic drug.

    2025 changes include    : A new $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. (This cap does not apply to out-of-pocket spending on Part B drugs), elimination of the coverage gap phase, a higher share of drug costs paid by Part D plans in the catastrophic phase, along with a new manufacturer price discount and reduced liability for Medicare in this phase, and changes to plan costs and the manufacturer price discount in the initial coverage phase.

  4. Catastrophic phase

    Medicare pays 80% of total drug cost, part D plans pay 15% and Part D enrollees pay 5%. Part D enrollees qualify for catastrophic coverage when the amount that they pay out of pocket plus the value of the manufacturer discount on the price of brand-name drugs in the coverage gap phase exceeds a certain threshold amount set at $7,400,  of which enrollees pay $3100 out of pocket before reaching catastrophic phase. This is based on the cost of brand-name drugs only.

2024 Changes – 5% coinsurance requirement for Part D enrollees will be eliminated and Part D plan will pay 20% of total drug costs instead of 15%. For Part D Enrollees without low-income subsidies, once drug spending is high enough to qualify for catastrophic coverage, they will no longer be required to pay 5% of their drug costs, meaning out-of-pocket is capped. 

2024 Changes – the catastrophic threshold is capped at $8,000. This includes what Part D enrollees spend out of pocket plus the value of the manufacturer price discount on brands in the coverage gap phase. Meaning, in 2024 Part D enrollees who take only brand-named drugs will have spent about $3300.00 out of pocket and then will have no more additional cost for these drugs.

2025 Changes – Medicare’s share of total cost in the catastrophic phase (reinsurance, ) will decrease from 80% to 20% for brand-name drugs and from 80% to 40% for generics. Medicare Part D plans’ share of the costs will increase from 15% to 60% for both brands and generics above the cap, and drug manufacturers will be required to provide a 20% price discount on brand-name drugs. 

This is very important for those who are taking high-cost cancer drugs such as Revlimid, Pomalyst, Imbruvia, Jakafi, and Ibrance. These drugs have the highest per capita Part D expenditures in 2021. The annual out-of-pocket costs for these cancer drugs range from $11,000 to almost $15,000, and in the catastrophic phase, out-of-pocket costs per drug in 2021 ranged from around $8,000 to nearly $12,000. So eliminating the 5% coinsurance requirement in the catastrophic phase in 2024 means that Part D enrollees without low-income subsidies who use these and/or other high-cost cancer drugs covered by Part D will realize thousands of dollars in savings. You can see the savings especially if you use more than one of these medications.

Additional Changes to Medicare Part D

2024 Changes

  • People with Medicare who have incomes up to 150% of federal poverty level and resources at or below the limits for partial low-income subsidy benefits will be eligible for full benefits under Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Program. The partial LIS benefit currently in place for individuals with incomes between 135% and 150% of Federal Poverty Levels.will be eliminated.
  • The calculation of the base benficiary premium will be adjusted, as needed, to limit the increases in the base premium to no more than 6% from prior year values. Note: Premiums for individual Part D premiums and annual plan-level premium increases will continue to vary.

2025 Changes

  • Part D enrollees will have the option of spreading out their out of pocket costs over the year rather than face high out of pocket costs in any given month. 

So how do you decide how to choose Medicare Drug coverage?

Take an inventory of your needs, now and in the near future. Look at your priorities. Here are a few things to consider when planning:

  1. What are the drugs you are taking or anticipate taking? Make sure the drug plan you are considering are on that plans formulary. Then, compare the costs.
  2. If you need protection forn high prescription costs, as is very common for a lot of cancer drugs, look for drug plans offering coverage in the coverage gap, if applicable, and check with these plans to make sure they cover your drugs in the gap.
  3. If you need to make sure your drug costs share is balanced throughout the year, refer to drug plans with no or low deductibles, or with additional coverage in the coverage gap.
  4. If you take a lot of generic medications, look at a Medicare drug plan with tiers that charge you nothing or low copayments for generics.
  5. If you don’t have many drug cost now but want to make sure you have coverage “just in case” to avoid future penalties and for peace of mind, consider Medicare drug plans with low monthly premiums. If you need prescription drugs in the future, all plans must cover most drugs used by Medicare enrollees.
  6. If you prefer the extra benefits and lower cost available by getting your healthcare and prescription drug coverage from one plan, and, you don’t mind possible restrictions on the doctors, hospitals and other heathcare providers you can use, then consider a Medicare Advantage Plan which has this all bundled into one. Again if you have multiple specialist and complex healthcare needs consider your options carefully.

Again, I encourage everyone to review their options and make the beat choice for you and your family. And most importantly, review yearly.  Don’t just look at the cost of premiums when making a decision. When you have expensive medications especially for cancer, it’s important that you stay on treatment. Knowing your options ahead of time and planing for associated cost will help prevent you from beoming financially stressed. Talk with your healthcare provider’s. Ask about generic medication options. Work with the social workers or patient advocates at your healthcare center to search out co-pay, deductible, premium assistance programs available from pharma as well as non-profits that can help you meet your financial obligations for out of pocket expenses.

Resources:

Changes to Medicare Part D in 2024 and 2025 Under the Inflation Reduction Act and How Enrollees Will Benefit

Medicare.gov

Negotiating Debt, Managing Your Finances and Gaining Financial Security

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Debt can be crushing. It can cause people to delay marriages, purchasing of a home and even decline or delay needed medical treatment. In fact, one of the leading causes of bankruptcy is medical debt. Many people are unaware that they can negotiate their debt with many creditors, It pays to be aware of the options you may have. I’m going to review some of these negotiation options with you. This list is not exhaustive. If you have bills that you’re having a hard time managing, don’t be afraid to ask your creditor. Understand how debt default can affect your credit and can lead to legal action including the seizure of property. Don’t let this happen to you.

Tax Debt

If you have outstanding debt with the IRS, talk to them. It’s important to understand that interest and penalties will continue to accrue on any outstanding balances. The sooner you speak to them the better off you’ll be. You may not be able to completely eliminate your debt, but you may be able to get it reduced or set up payment arrangements that will make it more manageable. Most creditors, from the mortgage company to hospitals to loan companies are willing to discuss your situation. For many people who delayed or did not file a 2021 tax return, penalties can accrue at a 5% rate of the unpaid taxes for every month until reaching a 25% cap. Additionally, interest will compound daily at a current rate of 7%. This interest rate may go higher if the Federal Reserve raises rates. There is also a late filing payment penalty of .05% of the unpaid taxes, an amount that accrues monthly. You can see how your outstanding debt can increase significantly. Unpaid taxes can lead to garnishment of wages, money can be taken from checking and savings accounts and the IRS can seize real estate and vehicles.  

If you owe delinquent taxes, contact the IRS and set up a payment plan. If you don’t have the income or resources to pay taxes, taxpayers can apply for an “offer in compromise,” which can reduce the overall tax liability. Another option is to ask the IRS to report the debt as currently not collectable. This will temporarily suspend certain collection actions such as seizure of property. This action does not erase debt and it will also continue to accrue interest. I would caution taxpayers to be aware of scammers that say they offer assistance with the IRS. Do your due diligence 

The collection process and penalties assessed vary greatly depending on circumstances. Many people are unaware that if you live in a federally declared disaster area or are a member of the military serving in a combat zone, exceptions can be made. 

Mortgage Debt

Many people remember the many homeowners that found themselves upside down on their mortgages in 2008-2009. Consequently, many lost their homes, 

According to the New York Federal Reserve Board, in the last quarter, 0.57% of all mortgages were seriously delinquent. There is a concern that with the rising interest rates along with the higher house payments, delinquency levels may rise in the coming years. Homeowners who are significantly behind in their mortgage payments should contact their mortgage servicer immediately. Describe your situation and how you plan to repay what is owed. Missing mortgage payments will hurt your credit score, so consider asking your loan services for a loan forbearance, which will pause or reduce your mortgage payments. The missed payments which are due at the end of the term will include interest during the forbearance period. You can also ask for a payment plan arrangement. Also, some portage servicers will offer a payment deferment in which the missed payments are added to the end of the home loan. The homeowner must be aware that if the mortgage debt continues to accrue, the loan servicer may push the homeowner to sell the property. 

Credit-card Debt

In an environment where interest rates are rising, credit card holders can find themselves in trouble when their purchases and interest charges snowball to the point where they can’t make the minimum payments. It may pay to seek help from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. It is a collection of non-profit member agencies that help consumers develop a plan to both reduce their living expenses and pay outstanding debts. The counselors work with your credit card company to make the payments more affordable. The payments are made to the agency which disperses the money to the creditors. The credit card companies may vary in their assistance. Consumers will need to provide documentation of the extenuating circumstances that led to the debt. You can also reach the credit card company yourself and save money on fees and negotiate with them directly.

Student-Loan Debt

Many older people are finding that they’re holding student debt for adult children. Also, student loan holders find themselves in limbo waiting for the supreme court to rule on the legality of President Biden’s plan to forgive up to $10,000 per person in federal loans and up to $20,000 in federal loans to borrowers who also received Pell Grants. Borrowers can assess whether their monthly payments are still manageable once the pause ends. If not, contact the loan services and inquire about deferment and/or forbearance options, as well as other repayment plans. 

Medical Debt

Almost a quarter of all US adults say they have past due medical bills including bills they cannot afford to pay, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. There are options to help manage the burden of medical debt. One of the first things a person can do is prepare for the cost of a procedure. Ask about the cost as soon as possible. Also make sure you understand your insurance and what it will and will not pay. Thirdly, make sure your medical bills are accurate. Upwards of 80% of medical bills are incorrect. Don’t pay a bill unless you have verified the itemized expenses with the Evidence of Benefit statement. If there are errors you can file an appeal. Many hospitals have charitable programs to help patients cover medical bills. They can also help you establish a payment plan to pay your outstanding bills. You can ask if the bill can be reduced to an amount you can pay. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Be prepared to provide documentation, such as proof of income, insurance, disability and even your proximity to the facility if travel expenses are significant.  

Patients can apply for grants through the Patient Advocate Foundation and other non-profit organizations. Funding comes mostly from private donations and health-related nonprofits devoted to specific ailments, such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation. 

Some healthcare providers offer medical credit cards to their clients. They come with no or low interest introductory rates that will later reset to a high rate. Consumers should be aware that these rates may be higher than that of regular credit card rates. It pays to take this into consideration before signing on the dotted line.  

 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help with any of your creditors. Getting control of your finances will reduce financial stress and allow you to focus on more important things in life.  

Hospital Charity Programs: What You Need to Know

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Understanding Hospital Charity Programs

Many of you may be aware that some laws have changed regarding reporting of medical debt to credit agencies. Those new laws are most favorable to individuals. Particularly for those patients who have frequent doctor visits and accrue numerous bills. However, it is most surprising to me that many patients are not aware of the many programs that can help them pay for medical care that they have amassed. Here is the low-down on what you need to know in order to access these charitable funds if you are going to a non-profit or a for-profit hospital for your care. 

What is a Hospital Charitable Program and How can you access it?

According to the IRS, Non-Profit hospitals or NFP’s are those hospitals that are not required to pay property-tax, state or federal income tax, or sales tax. Non-profit hospitals account for nearly 58% or three fifths of community hospitals and provide charity programs. Parameters are set by federal regulation in addition to charity-care policies that are set up by individual hospitals. The policies set up by individual hospitals can vary in terms of eligibility criteria, application procedures, and the level of charity provided. Hospitals bear the direct costs of providing charity care, support from donors and federal, state, and local governments may cover some or even all of these expenses.  

In exchange for tax-free status, nonprofit hospitals are expected and required to distribute any additional capital back into their surrounding communities. Because of this, non-profit hospitals face additional scrutiny by healthcare policymakers concerned as to whether and how the facilities are following through and contributing to their communities in a meaningful way to justify the tax exemptions that they are receiving. They question how the funds in the communities are being spent. 

You should know the type of  facility you are visiting. Don’t be afraid to ask. Find out about their charity and community programs. Many states have required that this information be readily available to patients. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case. Ask for a copy of their charity plans and how to access it. Get names and the phone number of people who manage it.  

For-profit hospitals are investor-owned. These facilities aim to make profits for their shareholders. Some of the largest for-profit hospital chains in the U.S. include Hospital Corporation of America,And HealthSouth. Not surprisingly, for-profit hospitals are generally among the highest-billing hospitals in the country.  

How do they compare?

Day to day functions look very much the same between the two types of organizations One very distinct difference however, is that for-profit hospitals typically use considerable portions of their available budget for marketing and advertising initiatives, as compared to non-profit facilities. For-profit hospitals tend to serve lower income populations while nonprofit hospitals are generally found in communities with higher average incomes and fewer under and uninsured patients.  

Consequently, nonprofit hospitals maintain higher bad-debt to net patient revenue ratios than for profits, although for profits with the highest bad debt to net patient revenue ratios tend to maintain higher ratios than nonprofit facilities. 

A study done in 2020 found that nonprofit and for-profit hospitals provide similar levels of charity care-another type of uncompensated care-when examined as a percentage of total debt. 

The Internal Revenue Service defines charity care or financial assistance, as “free or discounted health services provided to persons who meet the organization’s eligibility criteria for financial assistance and are unable to pay for all or a portion of the services provided”. In some cases depending on their criteria hospitals may provide charity care to both uninsured and insured patients.  

Who is eligible for hospital charity care?

Hospitals have a lot of flexibility to establish their own criteria for charity care. For instance, one analysis of a large sample of nonprofit hospitals that used the Federal Poverty Level to determine eligibility for free care in 2018, found that about one in three (32%) of the hospitals required patients to have incomes at or below 200%  the FPL or imposed more restrictive eligibility criteria, while the remaining sample (68%) relied on higher income caps. For discounted care, (62%) of nonprofit hospitals in the study limited eligibility to patients with incomes at or below 400% FPL or used lower income levels. The remaining (38%) rely on higher income caps. 

The conditions that hospitals put on the free or discounted care can vary. Patients may need to have few assets or must live in hospital service areas. Other criteria may also become  determining factors for free or reduced care.   

Unfortunately, from my experience, all patients are not getting access to this free reduced care because the information is not readily available or they don’t know that they may be eligible. For example, non-profit hospitals have estimated that  of the bad debt they reported in 019 reflecting 2017 expenses or earlier, about $2.7 billion came from patients who were likely eligible for charity care but did not receive it. Now it would be interesting to see how this picture has changed post COVID. These numbers are rough estimates coming from unaudited hospital reports and do not account for all facilities or for patients who qualified for charity care but still paid their bills.  

Patients have a right to know the cost of care and where they can get help if they qualify. Don’t hesitate to ask what’s available at your care facility. Ask prior to services and after services are provided. Fill out your required documentation and do so in a timely manner. Be empowered to better your physical and financial health. 

Medical Bills Collections, and Your Credit Score and Upcoming Changes

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Many people don’t realize that their credit report may contain medical bills in collection that can seriously affect their credit score. Even if you’ve been paying your credit cards, mortgage, rent, and other reportable lines, you may be surprised that medical bills carry their own weight when reported. Fortunately, you have more leeway when addressing these bills than other regular credit lines. In addition, they can be more easily removed from your credit report after they’re paid off. You should however monitor your credit report to make sure they are removed. Don’t forget to check all 3 major Credit Reporting Agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. 

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, approximately 31.6% of adults in the US have collection accounts on their credit reports. That’s an astounding 1 out of every 3 Americans. And, medical bills account for over half of all collections with an identifiable creditor. So, it stands to reason, that you may have a medical bill in collections. Even more probable if you’ve moved and aren’t receiving your bills. After a period of time, they are reported to a collection agency. After attempts to contact you via mail and or phone without arrangements being made by you, they will be reported to the credit agencies.  

This can be really damaging to your credit history as it can affect your borrowing interest rates, your ability to secure financing, and secure employment as many employers pull your credit report.  

Areas that you need to be aware of:

  1. Just because you have insurance and possibly good insurance, it doesn’t mean you will not owe anything. I would suggest you review your Evidence of Benefits (EOB) to get an idea of your responsibility. If in doubt about a bill, contact the medical provider as well as the insurance provider in the event of incorrect billing. 
  2. It is possible to pay a medical bill and it is still sent to collections. This can be extremely frustrating. If you’re making small payments or paying even a few days late, the bill can be sent to collections. Fortunately, you can call the collection agency and make payment arrangements with them. You are given a grace period. They give you typically 180 days before they report to the credit agencies. If you pay it off and are on time you can generally avoid it hitting your credit report. 
  3. Protections under the ACA give patients at a non-profit hospital time to apply for assistance before any extraordinary measures are taken. But remember, any unpaid balances can be and probably will be reported. I’ve seen bills hit a credit report with only a few dollars outstanding. The hit to your credit score is the same regardless of the amount! 
  4. Be sure to make payment arrangements with the medical provider and get a copy of it in writing. Then pay off the bill according to the agreement. I will say over and over again, that keeping a copy of agreements/arrangements that you have with your insurance company and provider makes good business sense in the event you find a discrepancy and need documentation at a later date.  

Managing Collection Calls

Whenever you’re contacted by a collection agency on behalf of a medical provider, have them send you a written confirmation of and a detailed itemized list of the debt as well as the right to dispute it. You have this right but you must do it in a timely manner. Again, make sure the bill is accurate. Compare it to the EOB. You should not be responsible for paying more than your responsible amount referenced on the EOB. After you’ve paid, keep a copy of the payment confirmations for a few weeks in the event you need to reference the transaction. It isn’t unheard of for things to cross in the mail, get lost, or even have payments applied to the incorrect patient account.  

If you’re concerned about your credit and or bills, get a free credit report one time a year for free through credit.com. Credit.com will also provide an easily understandable breakdown of the information on your credit report. Additionally, credit agencies can give you pointers as to how to establish and repair your credit history. Credit is a very integral part of our financial lives. Keeping a good credit history can present options such as cheaper car insurance, and better interest rates on personal loans.  

Upcoming Changes to Medical Bill Reporting

Make it a habit to review your credit reports regularly, Don’t assume you owe anything for medical visits. Ask for payment arrangements early and stick to them. Be proactive and free up time to do the things you’d rather be doing and not worry about collections and your credit report.  

The good thing about medical bills and credit is the changes that go into effect in 2023. But before I get into that, for those who currently have medical bills on their credit reports, very few of those existing bills will change. The credit reporting system has long been used as a threatening tool to try to coerce people to pay bills they may not even owe.  

Past research by the CFPB, suggests that medical collections are less predictive of future repayment risk than other collections or payment history on loans. Yet many creditors rely on older credit scoring models that penalize individuals with medical bill collections on their credit reports.  

Fortunately, as a result of the changes, two-thirds of medical collections on credit reports will no longer be reported. Starting in 2023, medical collections tradelines with less than $500 will no longer be reported to credit bureaus. For those who have relatively small outstanding bills, the $500 watermark could mean a large reduction in coercive reporting. Therefore bettering their credit scores.  

Not surprisingly there is a disparity in the beneficial impact of the proposed changes. Both geographically and racially. It is estimated that patients and families living in the northern and eastern states have a higher concentration of medical debt that is paid or they have lower medical debt balances. Consequently, these families are more likely to benefit from the changes.  

Conversely, residents of lower-income those being the majority of Black or Hispanic will realize less of a benefit from the proposed changes. This is because they may have higher bills reporting to credit because they are less likely to be able to pay down or off their medical bills due to the lack of income. Therefore it is particularly prudent that these groups pay particular attention to programs that may help them reduce their medical debt burden prior to it being reported to the credit bureaus.  

Knowing your financial responsibility ahead of treatment as well as working with your healthcare team to locate and secure payment options and arrangements can prevent the fall into financial stress. 

Self-Education Is the Basis of Better Health Outcomes, Physically, Mentally, and Financially

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We have all heard the phrase, “Hindsight is 20/20”. Yes, it can be, if we know to look and be retrospective and heed the lessons learned. However, too many of us don’t take the time to take advantage of hindsight and find ourselves caught over and over in the same tidal pool.

When my husband was diagnosed in 2002 with MGUS, the driving force for me to use as a guide to be proactive in his health as his advocate was the illness and subsequent death of my 5-year-old brother David, who was very rarely spoken of in my family. I always wondered why it was sort of secretive. I remember finding his death certificate in a chest and wondered about him for years until as a teen I asked my mother about him and his illness. You see, I was only 1-year-old when he died, I have no memory of him. What I know was told to me by my mother, many years after his death. He had leukemia, diagnosed when he was 4. At that time, it was a death sentence. He was in “treatment” but it was all experimental at the time. I asked my mother what kind of leukemia he had. She wasn’t sure. She knew she had to give him over 50 pills a day. I asked what they were, but she didn’t know. I couldn’t believe how little she knew about his illness or what was being done to him. I always felt that when hearing her tell me about David that she was guarding herself somehow. He was eventually sent home to die. Hearing the bits and pieces always struck a weird chord with me.

It was only as an adult accompanying my husband on his cancer journey with Myeloma that I began to understand the horrible cost to David and subsequently my parents and older siblings. I was always trying to investigate his illness from afar. So, now the seeds of questions that always remained with me and the illness and death of my husband has led me to where I am now. Those two experiences, especially the journey with my husband made me acutely aware on a daily basis of the urgent need for all patients to be educated in their illness, so they can openly and actively participate in their treatment not only of cancer but their overall health, mentally, physically and financially.

Overcoming barriers of bias both conscious and unconscious are still huge barriers that many patients face. Educating oneself seems to be a huge equalizer. Knowledge gives you the confidence to question, make better decisions, and to benefit from those decisions. It gives you relative peace of mind that the decisions you make are in your best interest and your family.

You may be asking how all of this comes together when in treatment for Myeloma, AML, or quite honestly, any illness. Simply, the more you know about your treatment the better equipped you are to ask the right questions about the cost of treatment, its side effects if you are going to have to take time off from work if there are other anticipated upcoming treatments that you need to prepare for. And, If your treatment is available in town or if you need to find treatment elsewhere. You can ask if there are other treatments available with perhaps less associated costs. You can prepare your personal finances and make sure your insurance coverage is the best it can be. Knowing your full treatment plan can help you gather the financial assistance you will need to help you get and stay on treatment.

There are many resources that you can easily access to educate you on your illness as well as give you information about financial resources for which you may qualify. They include help with travel for medical treatment, co-pay, deductible and premium help, utilities, lodging, and urgent financial help.

Many of the resources available today were not around to help my husband or I had no knowledge they existed and no one to inform us during his cancer journey and certainly not available to my parents with the cancer journey of my young brother in the early ’60s. Education can even be the playing field for many patients.

Becoming knowledgeable about available resources can help you control your stress levels which can benefit your overall health outcomes. And knowing that there are financial resources available to you can help alleviate some of the financial stress that comes with having a very expensive illness.

In one of the few conversations, I had with my mother, I asked how they found out about my brother’s cancer. She said they were told over the phone. The doctor said,” Your son has cancer and is dying”. I can’t imagine living that experience. My mother said she felt hurt and angry for it being so impersonal. She said this was a hurt for which she never forgave herself. This was a time in 1961 when the disparity in healthcare was even more glaring than it is today. My parents didn’t know how or were even encouraged to ask questions to participate in David’s care. David and our family suffered as a result.

I encourage everyone to take advantage of the learning opportunities available to them. Doing so will provide you with the peace of mind that you are getting the best care while managing the cost of your treatment and reducing overall stress to allow you to live your best life.

How Medical Financial Hardship Can Affect Your Health

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How Does Your Finances Affect Your Health?

In 2002, my husband was diagnosed with MGUS, a precursor to Multiple Myeloma. As many of you have also experienced, your life changes. At diagnosis, you probably felt you couldn’t breathe or process. All you could think of for days was cancer, cancer. And if you have been unfortunate enough to witness someone else in your family or close circle of friends with cancer you could only relate to their experience or what you thought their experience was. Good or bad..

I’ve witnessed too many people in my family battle cancer. My brother with leukemia, my father with lung cancer, my great grandfather with prostate cancer and my husband with multiple myeloma. I watched my parents struggle with the cost of his care. My mother was the caregiver to my father and stopped working to care for him. That was difficult for her because her sustainable income became almost non-existent. Fortunately, it came at a time when all but one of my seven siblings were independent and on our own. This at least was less responsibility for my mom and dad to worry about. However, because he was in the hospital a lot, and she no longer had income coming in, we all covered her daily expenses, food, mortgage, gas, water, purchased her a more reliable car, home repairs etc. We became her failsafe. Many people are not so fortunate.

My mother never spoke of the emotional or financial stress of everything to any of us, but we knew it had to be difficult. We saw the strain on her health. Her weight changed. She had trouble sleeping. Her blood pressure soared and her arthritis was always troubling her. More so than usual. My siblings who lived near would spend time helping her care for dad, and within a week of his death she had to take care of her mother who was an amputee and had Alzheimer’s.

So, it’s really not at all surprising to learn that medical financial toxicity or stress could be linked to worst cancer survival. The effects are many. Unfortunately for those who live in rural areas, have low incomes, those who are minorities, the underinsured or uninsured you already have financial stress. An expensive illness like cancer makes it all the more difficult.

My husband had great insurance from his employer. I thought at first we wouldn’t have to worry about medical bills. That is until he was at first approved for coverage for a stem cell harvesting and transplant in another hospital out of network, because there wasn’t a specialist in KY. Right after the transplant we were told treatment wasn’t going to be covered by his insurance.. After 5 weeks in the hospital!!! He became very despondent and depressed could not eat or sleep. He began to suffer with other emotional and physical issues unrelated to the illness itself. Additionally healing from the transplant was difficult. Lesson learned, having good insurance does not shield you from financial stress.

An analysis of 25,000 cancer survivors showed that financial hardship had a significant association with premature death among cancer survivors, no matter their insurance coverage. And according to K. Robin Yabroff, PhD, MBA, of the American Cancer Society in Kennesaw, GA and colleagues, almost 30% of patients ages 18-64 reported financial toxicity, which is associated with a 17% excess mortality risk compared with same-aged patients who did not report medical hardship.

In older patients, they found that financial hardship was less common with a 14% excess mortality risk. Having insurance did reduce the risk but not by much and certainly didn’t eliminate it.

An earlier study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found an increased mortality risk in cancer survivors who filed for bankruptcy. Though the number filing was low, medical financial hardship covers a range of economic stressors.

Some of the financial hardships associated with financial stress included; patients not adhering to or even forgoing treatment. Having problems paying for expensive prescriptions could lead to not taking medicine as prescribed to make it last longer or not getting it filled at all, In addition mental health counseling and other health issues are neglected.

How to mitigate a lot of the financial stressors that can lead to higher mortality?

Understand your illness and all aspects of your treatment. Ask your doctor to refer you to someone in the facility who can help you find financial assistance to help you manage the costs of your care and help you manage your everyday expenses. A quick google search can help you locate local, state and federal resources that may be available to you. Seek out help from organizations such as American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There are many others. Get help with finances and budgeting CoPatient is a great organization that can determine of medical bills over $500 are accurate and fight that battle for you. Triage Cancer is a great resource to help you understand legal, and insurance information based on your state of residence.

The main takeaway is, you need to focus on healing and staying healthy. Seek out help regarding your finances so that you won’t find yourself in a financial crisis. Support groups are great sources of information.

Don’t be afraid to ask. Your health depends on it!

Is Inflation Adding to Your Financial Burden?

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The stock market was doing well, until it wasn’t. For those of you who are invested in the market, things have been going splendidly for quite a while. Then comes the virus and job closures, people leaving their jobs for better pay. Home prices went through the roof. Many people made money selling their homes at a premium but then couldn’t find a home to replace it with. Rent is exploding. The cost of food is skyrocketing. You can’t find a decently priced used or new car anywhere. Sure, you can trade that used car you currently drive for a great return, but then spend the equity you made plus more into another car.  

How do you keep right-side up with all of the changes the world is enduring right now? 

Oh Yeah! Now we have a war to contend with and the fallout of it! How about gas prices soaring, way before the usual hikes around spring break and early summer 

Can you get a break? If you’re reading this you probably have already been struggling with the high costs of one of the biggest booms… Healthcare. This economic shift is a hard one. The gears are grinding and the brakes are shrieking.  

What are steps you can take to help mitigate, the best you can in your situation, the financial stress that comes from all of this uncertainty? 

Take a deep breath and I will give you some strategic steps you can take to help alleviate your financial stress and help you make the best of a difficult situation. 

First understand you cannot control what happens economically or politically, but you do need to be aware that there are risks that we can anticipate and be ready for.  

Here are some basic questions that you can ask yourself to help identify problem areas and then where to address these concerns so you can avoid financial toxicity.  

  1. What is your main area of concern?  
  2. Is it your ability to pay for healthcare?  
  3. Are you concerned that you may not have the insurance coverage you need? 
  4. Do you need help meeting your healthcare expenses? 
  5. Are you concerned about having to leave employment early due to illness? 
  6. Are you unsure of how to keep health insurance if you need to stop working? 
  7. Are you swimming in debt and need outside help managing it? 
  8. Do you need information about SSDI, or SSI 
  9. Are you having difficulty working due to your illness? 
  10. Do you need information about ADA and FMLA? 
  11. What resources do you have that you can use strategically to help you manage your overall expenses? 

I know this seems like a lot, but unless you identify your concerns it will be impossible to address your concerns effectively. Take a bit of time to ask these questions, write everything down and prioritize. Pull out your employer benefits booklet and get to know what options you have available to you through your employer. 

Get to know your insurance plan and what they are responsible for and what you are responsible for.  

Know what treatments you are on and their associated costs. Ask your treatment team if anything is expected to change so you can anticipate and prepare financially for the changes. 

If you haven’t done so already, ask your social worker about financial resources that you may be eligible for to help pharmaceutical drug costs as well as financial assistance programs through nonprofits and charitable organizations.  

There is help out there for food, utilities, medical bills, rent, insurance premiums, drug costs, travel for medical care and a host of other state and local resources. Now is a good time to take advantage of the resources. If you have a low income, you can even seek help through Legal Aid Society at no cost to you for legal help.  

Don’t let financial stress keep you from staying on your medical treatment or from keeping your lights on and food in your refrigerator. Ask for help. Seek out resources that can help you and your family.

Medicare Doesn’t Cover Free At-Home Covid Tests, But You Still Have Other Options to Attain Free Ones

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The Biden Administration’s new mandate that insurers cover the cost of at-home test did not include beneficiaries of Medicare. This is very unfortunate because Medicare recipients are the largest at-risk population.  

The new mandates that private insurers cover the cost of at-home-test – up to eight per enrollee per month. And, because Medicare enrollees are not participant of this mandate, this leaves many afraid of the consequences.   There are about 63.3 million people enrolled in Medicare and the majority of these beneficiaries, 55.1 million, are age 65 or older, and the rest, though younger, are generally people with disabilities. Many of which may have illnesses that leave them very vulnerable to COVID. 

The mandate which took place on January 15th, means that most consumers with private health coverage can buy at-home test at a store or online and either get it paid for upfront by their insurance company by submitting their insurance card or get reimbursed by submitting a claim to their insurer.  

Fortunately, there are still options for Medicare beneficiaries to get access to free COVID test. 

Here are your options:

  1. You can order four free tests through Covidtest.gov, a new government website that officially launched on January 15th. This site is available to all households not just Medicare beneficiaries. This is for 4 free at-home test per month/per household. Therefore, you may have to reorder every month.  
  2. You can also pick up at-home COVID test for free at Medicare-certified health clinics. 
  3. Community health centers. Be aware that currently demand for the test are outpacing supply, so plan accordingly. 
  4. For Medicare beneficiaries that are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, reach out to your insurer as they may cover the cost of the at-home Covid test. It’s worth a try. The tests may be covered under a supplemental benefit through the insurer, not a required benefit.  
  5. Don’t forget the many testing sites that are offering free Covid testing. Beneficiaries can get the lab-based PCR test, (can take a few days to get back the test results) rapid PCR test, and the rapid antigen test. These sites were really stacked during the Holiday’s, they may be less busy now. A bonus is that many of these sites are drive through, providing you with less exposure to people. 
  6. Additionally, if a doctor or other authorized health-care provider orders the test, there is no cost-sharing. 
  7. Medicare beneficiaries are allowed to get one lab test for free per year without a doctor’s order. 

It hardly seems fair that Medicare beneficiaries have to jump through more hoops to get access to the free tests. However, this is due to the specific legal authority used to implement the directive. 

It seems that for now, this is how it will continue unless there’s another strong push for Medicare recipients to be included in the mandate. At which point It would require congressional action. For now, Don’t Hold Your Breath!! 

What Role Can Care Partners Play in Advocacy?

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What Role Can Care Partners Play in Advocacy? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Care partners can play many roles in advocacy. Diahanna, Sherea, and Patricia discuss that as a care partner you have to stay knowledgeable and up to date about various treatments and discussions happening in your loved one’s disease area. Diahanna shares a time where she had to advocate for her late husband by speaking up to the nurse and nearly saving her husband’s life. She also expresses that as care partners, you cannot be afraid to ask questions on behalf of your loved one.

Care Partner Tips for Communicating with Healthcare Teams

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Care Partner Tips for Communicating with Healthcare Teams from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Ensure that you are in a position to ask the right questions of your healthcare team. Diahanna suggests familiarizing yourself with various online resources so you are aware of the potential needs of your loved ones. Watch as care partners, Diahanna, Sherea and Patricia share more crucial tips to help others communicate with one’s healthcare team.

Resources for New Care Partners

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Resources for New Care Partners from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Sherea explains that you cannot move forward, unless you are able to acknowledge all the feelings that may come with the initial diagnosis of your loved one. Watch as care partners Diahanna, Sherea, and Patricia also share their tips and go-to online resources for new care partners.

Is There a Difference Between Care Partner vs Caregiver?

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Is There a Difference Between Care Partner vs Caregiver? from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

The term caregiver is generally more recognized around the world. Care partners Diahanna, Sherea, and Patricia share that being a care partner is generally more intimate than being a caregiver. Care partners are those who are taking care of family members and loved ones whom they’ve known before any initial diagnosis.