Allie Krugman

Retired from government work since 1997, Ms. Ellis’ greatest joy is spending time with her daughter and granddaughter in their Queens home. When her retirement funds stopped coming in over an unpaid medical bill she never received – for a procedure she didn’t remember having – her family also became her fiercest advocates. Following a …

They Took My Retirement Funds Over a Medical Bill: Ms. Ellis’ Story Read More »

In the summer of 2020, Mrs. Wilson was at her Staten Island home battling an active COVID infection when she heard a knock at the door.  Northwell Health was suing her for $100,000. Three years prior, Mrs. Wilson started receiving care she needed to manage her chronic condition. Working in administrative services for the city of …

Mrs. Wilson’s $100k Horror Read More »

“As someone struggling with medical bills myself, it became my mission to make sure everyone knew about financial assistance.” A patient navigator for ACR Health and helpline volunteer with Community Health Advocates, Sheryl knows firsthand how challenging it can be to access the funds New York hospitals are legally required to provide to low-income patients. …

“We Can’t Just Tell Everybody About That” – Sheryl’s Financial Assistance Story Read More »

As COVID-19 continues its spread across the country, a growing number of New Yorkers are experiencing persistent memory loss, nerve damage and other chronic neurological symptoms of long COVID. While much is unknown about long COVID at this stage, one thing is clear: the illness can be devastating to patients’ health, well-being and finances. “Financially, …

Facility Fee for Long COVID Care – Sam’s Story Read More »

When Mr. Berg received a notice in the mail informing him he was being sued by Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY over unpaid medical debt, he and his wife were shocked, then confused. They had been making regular payments to the hospital’s collection agency to cover Mr. Berg’s $5,300 bill for an emergency room visit …

“Fight Back, Don’t Quit, Don’t Give Up”: Mr. Berg’s Story Read More »

Meet David, a man who is disabled, undocumented, houseless, and fighting cancer—and he’s a cat dad. At the beginning of last year, David lived at a housing facility in the Lower East Side. He was accompanied by a small tabby cat named Lucky, who became a close companion after David saved his life. But one …

When Health Care Fails – David’s Story Read More »

Claudia Knafo is familiar–too familiar–with our broken medical system. When Claudia’s son got sick last November, she was prepared. Once they arrived at the NYU Langone emergency room, she gave out her insurance information immediately. Her son got an EKG and stayed at the hospital for a few days, and when she found out his …

Like Mother, Like Son: More Surprise Bills Read More »