Lessons from “wrestling with a giant”

The ER visit was quick and uneventful. The bill was $1,300. Our listener decided to push back. He didn't win, but he learned a lot — and so did we.

We had help, from an expert we met by visiting a Renaissance Fair — which we did in this very fun early episode. Kaelyn Globig, head of advocacy for the Rescu Foundation, is a medical-bill wizard, and no one has taught us more.

In this story, she teaches us how to find out what Medicare pays for a given procedure — here’s the guide she shared with us — and how to use that information.

We also got advice on dealing with debt collectors — when it makes sense to file a dispute — from April Kuenhoff, an attorney with the National Consumer Law Center.

She shared resources too. Here are sample letters — templates you can edit:

• To tell a debt collector that you are disputing a charge.
• To demand verification of a debt they say you owe
• To limit their legal right to harass you.

Here’s a transcript of the episode.

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