Important lessons about medical debt learned from battling breast cancer

Americans have put off health screenings during the coronavirus pandemic, and doctors are worried that the consequences will include a dramatic rise in deaths from cancers that were undetected or detected too late. There's also another consequence of putting off health screenings -- the financial side. The cost of medical care is already a big reason why some people don't go to the doctor. Medical debt is scary, and it can become overwhelming very quickly, with financial repercussions that can last for years. But for some people, it's a reality they can't ignore -- and there are things you can do to keep medical debt from ruining your life. In this episode of KYW Newsradio In Depth, US News & World Report Beverly Harzog joins the podcast to talk about her journey through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and complications, and what she learned about how to deal with medical bills and what to focus on to manage medical debt and come out on the other side.

Find out if you qualify for free or low cost mammograms or pap tests, and find out where you can get screened:

In Pennsylvania -- Call the PA Healthy Woman program at 800-215-7497

In New Jersey -- Call the Cancer Education and Early Detection program at 800-328-3838

In Delaware -- Call Screening for Life by dialing 211

These programs are all run out of each state's health department, and you can also find more information at CDC.gov .

You can read Beverly Harzog's article about her breast cancer journey here:

https://creditcards.usnews.com/articles/what-beast-cancer-taught-me-about-medical-debt

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