We the Patients

Allie Krugman

Health care advocate Winn

Crisis hotlines can’t be the only way we handle mental health– Winn Periyasamy, The Bronx

Winn Periyasamy, a Fordham Law student, went before the New York Senate and House Standing Committees on Health to talk about her experience with mental healthcare in New York. After graduating from Barnard and getting her Master’s in Public Health at Columbia, Winn had difficulties making ends meet while freelancing and job hunting. During this …

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Martin and Becky Prevo, from Chenango County, who were stuck with almost $10,000 of medical debt.

Out of network? That’ll be $9,807.78. — Martin and Becky Prevo, Chenango County

For years, Becky and Martin Provo used Bassett Healthcare, a large healthcare network in New York State. When they switched over to a Fidelis Silver Marketplace plan, they expected that their experience would be more or less the same as earlier. After a few months, however, they found themselves beset with bills, many related to …

Out of network? That’ll be $9,807.78. — Martin and Becky Prevo, Chenango County Read More »

Steve Briggs man standing after stroke.

Collections for a medical bill less than $1,000. — Steve Briggs, Warren County

After suffering a severe stroke, Steve struggled to do routine chores like cover his medical bills on time and in full. Despite his best efforts to keep up and repay what he owed, his bills were soon turned over to collections.  He was embarrassed and concerned, but he still couldn’t get a handle on his …

Collections for a medical bill less than $1,000. — Steve Briggs, Warren County Read More »

Financial Aid dispute puts family under financial distress

Hospital puts up roadblocks to financial assistance every step of the way – Oliwia Caes, NYC

A parent’s greatest fear, their child suddenly falling ill. What’s worse? When they stop and think, what should I do? I can’t afford to go to the doctor. This was Dorata Caes dilemma. Her 12-year-old daughter, Oliwia Caes, was sent to the emergency room at Mount Sinai for an emergency appendectomy. After discharge, Dorata received …

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Melissa protest #Insulin4All NYC

#Insulin4All’s Melissa Passarelli: $8,000 out-of-pocket costs, rationing, depletion of savings – the cost of “affording” insulin

Picture this: you’re living in a community in which most people have running water, except for you. You need water to survive, but when you go to the store to try to buy it, they charge you $300 for a gallon, which may only last you a week. You’d go to another store, but they …

#Insulin4All’s Melissa Passarelli: $8,000 out-of-pocket costs, rationing, depletion of savings – the cost of “affording” insulin Read More »

Parity a blog post

PARITY 101: Why “Parity” needs to become verbal ammo in your fight for fair Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder insurance coverage

You might not know it yet, but “Parity” is an important term when it comes to mental health, substance abuse disorder, and insurance benefits. Knowing about Parity—a term which is shorthand for a federal law that’s been quietly on the books since 2008—is as important as knowing your right to remain silent, your right to …

PARITY 101: Why “Parity” needs to become verbal ammo in your fight for fair Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder insurance coverage Read More »