Understood Care
If you are choosing between paying for care and paying for basics like electricity, water, gas, internet, or the phone you need to reach your doctor, you’re not alone. Many patients and caregivers face the same stress. The good news is there are proven programs and protections that can reduce medical costs, prevent surprise bills, and connect you with help for essential utilities. This guide explains what to ask, who to call, and how an Understood Care advocate can stand by you through each step.
From the video: "My name is Madelyn Vicente, and I’m a health advocate with Understood Care. Every day we talk with people who can’t keep up with monthly bills like electricity, water, gas, internet, and telephone. We connect patients with community programs that help pay these bills, especially now with higher prices and changes to Medicaid coverage. You don’t have to solve this alone. We can help you figure out your options and apply.”
If you’d like help, an Understood Care advocate can review your bills, coordinate appeals, and connect you to assistance programs. Start here: Medical Bill Advocacy and Application Help pages, or go directly to our guide: Breaking Down Medical Bills.
The No Surprises Act protects most people with private insurance from balance bills in many common situations, including emergency care and certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities when the treating clinician is out of network. That means you generally pay only in-network cost sharing for these covered scenarios. If you believe you were billed incorrectly, you can file a complaint.
Nonprofit hospitals must maintain a written Financial Assistance Policy (FAP), make it publicly available, and make reasonable efforts to screen for eligibility before using aggressive collection practices. Ask the billing office for the plain-language summary and application.
Recent federal rulemaking limits how medical debt can appear on credit reports, with a 2025 final rule aimed at removing most medical bills from credit files. Check the latest status and know that you can dispute inaccurate entries with the credit bureaus.
If you have Medicare and limited income or resources, Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) can pay some or all of your Part A and Part B costs. Extra Help can lower your Part D drug expenses. You can apply through your state Medicaid office and Social Security.
Depending on your age, income, disability status, and household, you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP with little or no cost sharing. If you are not eligible, the Health Insurance Marketplace may offer premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.
Federally supported community health centers offer primary care and many provide dental and behavioral health, with fees that scale to income. Search for a site near you and ask about the sliding fee discount program.
If you qualify for VA care, copays can be reduced or waived based on priority group and financial hardship. The VA also offers travel reimbursement to eligible veterans for covered appointments.
When medical costs rise, it gets harder to keep up with utilities. These trusted programs can help:
From Madelyn, your advocate:
“We hear from people every day who are behind on electricity, water, gas, internet, and phone. Our job is to connect you to the right local program and help with the paperwork. If you’re feeling stuck, we can jump in, call together, and follow up so applications don’t fall through the cracks.”
If you want one-on-one help right now, visit Understood Care — Financial Help or Breaking Down Medical Bills.
Need backup? An Understood Care advocate can compare your bill to the EOB/MSN, cite applicable protections, coordinate an appeal, and follow deadlines for you: Financial Help at Understood Care.
If your medicines, doctors, or budget have changed, review your plan options:
Understood Care can run side-by-side comparisons based on your current medications and pharmacies, then help you enroll: See if you’re covered.
Start here: Financial Help for Your Healthcare Needs.
Charity care, also called financial assistance, is a hospital program that reduces or eliminates bills for patients who qualify based on income and other factors. Nonprofit hospitals must have a written policy and a plain-language summary available. Ask the billing office for the application.
It protects many people in emergencies and for certain non-emergency services at in-network facilities when the billing clinician is out of network. It does not cover every scenario, like most ground ambulance bills. If you think your situation is covered, dispute the bill and consider filing a complaint.
Yes. Extra Help lowers Part D costs for people with limited income and resources. Some states also have prescription assistance programs, and community health centers may offer discounted services. An advocate can review your medicines and find the lowest-cost options.
You may still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP based on updated information, or you may be eligible for Marketplace savings that reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Ask about special enrollment periods.
A 2025 federal rule aims to remove most medical bills from credit reports. Check current guidance and dispute any inaccurate items with the credit bureaus.
Dial 211 to reach trained specialists who know the up-to-date local programs in your area. They can connect you to help for utilities, housing, and more.
USA.gov has a simple overview of government options, and CMS/Medicare pages explain savings programs and protections. If you want one-on-one help, an Understood Care advocate can guide you step by step.
You deserve care without the constant burden of bills. If you are managing medical debt, worried about utilities, or confused by a denial, you don’t have to navigate that maze alone. An Understood Care advocate can review your bills, check your eligibility for discounts, help with Medicaid or Medicare savings, and connect you to trusted community programs for energy, water, internet, and phone service.
Start here: Financial Help at Understood Care.
This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.
We know navigating Medicare and care needs can feel lonely, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our caring team takes care of the paperwork, claims, and home care so you’re always supported.
