Even a small amount of medical debt can trigger headaches

Iin trouble with medical debt and the size of what is owed generally peaked at a young age, even though medical spending typically rises as people grow older.

People in their late 20s were nearly three times as likely to have a medical bill sent to collections than those in their late 60s, when people can qualify for the federal Medicare coverage program. The average size of the medical debt dropped nearly 40 percent from ages 27 to 64. All told, about 16 percent of the credit reports included medical bills in collections.

The study’s picture of medical debt had some limitations. It only identified bills that landed in collections. It doesn’t show debt paid by other means like credit cards. reached their peak earnings or built up savings, and they are more likely to be uninsured.

Insurance protection also can be limited because some plans require patients to pay thousands of dollars toward a claim before coverage begins.

The extent of a patient’s illness and whether they miss work often factor into debt problems, said Erin Singleton of the nonprofit Patient Advocate Foundation, which helps critically or chronically ill patients deal with debt and insurance problems. Neither Singleton nor the foundation was involved in the study.

Medical bills also can remain unpaid if patients must feed a family or pay utilities first.

“If it’s a matter of paying a medical bill or putting food on the table, they’re going to put food on the table,” Singleton said.

Take action when bills arrive. Check to make sure your insurer processed the claim correctly. Many invoices list a phone number if patients have questions or need help.

“Don’t put a bunch of envelopes on the top of your desk and pretend that they don’t exist,” Singleton said.

Billing departments typically will work with patients who have payment concerns, said Rita Robinson, a case manager for the advocacy group. They might be able to set up a payment plan or connect you with some discounts or charity that the hospital offers.

Patients can no longer get that help once a bill goes to collections.

Robinson said many patients, especially those with cancer, have more anxiety over the bills they will face than over their actual treatment. They’re often worried that the treatments will stop if they can’t pay their bills.

“It’s very terrifying,” she said.

t doesn’t take a huge unpaid medical bill to make a collection agency come calling ... and calling.