After working 23 years as a nurse at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, Pablo Moncada is well-versed in New York’s health system. Still, he struggles to pay bill after bill for medical care for his potential prostate cancer. Now retired, Pablo’s only income comes from social security. He lives on a very limited budget, forcing him …
A Retired Nurse’s Mounting Medical Bills — Pablo’s Story Read More »
When 18 year-old Anthony Calafiura was admitted to the hospital for fourteen days after a mental health crisis, he was grateful for the support he received. Until bills started rolling in. Now, Anthony is $2,000 in debt. “It makes me really anxious, and it’s really not good for my mental health. Which is why I …
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 …
“I wanted to rip my head off, I was in so much pain. And they make me sign a loan?” Working as a cashier at a fabric store in New York City, Lizette Valdovinos makes a modest income and uses Medicaid to cover her health expenses. Finding the right doctors has been a challenge. “It’s …
$5,000 in Debt for Dental Care – Lizette’s Story Read More »
When Katherine* was rushed to Northwell Hospital for brain trauma in August 2021, her main concern was recovering from the nightmare of emergency neurosurgery. Then she saw the medical bills. Years prior, Katherine did as many young and healthy independent contractors do: she signed onto a freelancer’s small group insurance plan. She chose the plan …
An Emergency, A Fake Health Plan, and over $600,000 in Bills – Katherine’s 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. …
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 »
“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 »
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 …
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 …
