Legal & Financial Help
For older adults addressing health care For older adults adressing health care and related issues:
- Obtain free educational resources by the non-profit Medicare Rights Center.
- Get guidance for coverage appeals.
- Consumer helpline: 800-333-4114
- Access library of recorded webinars and downloadable guidance on retirement and healthcare planning.
- For Westchester residents, participate in free workshops and consultations with professionals—lawyers, financial planners, geriatric care managers, long term care consultants.
DSS – add
LEGAL HAND CALL-IN CENTER (Elisabeth Haub Law School at Pace University)
- Free legal information, assistance and referrals to residents of Westchester County provided by non-lawyer volunteers trained and assisted by a legal services attorney
- Services include public benefits, employment, housing, family, immigration, health, divorce and domestic violence.
- Legal Hand does not provide legal advice; it can help you in your own legal research and action.
- Three ways to connect: Call/Text: 914-425-5483 | Email: westchesterhelp@legalhand.org | Web: Contact Us page via website at legalhand.org/westchester
Faith-Based Court Initiative – Westchester Locations
There are a number of walk-in locations that serve those who:
- do not have a lawyer and cannot afford to hire one,
- seek a safe, private location to access Court Help Resources,
- who needs to access Do-It-Yourself (DIY) documents,
- and/or does not have access to computer equipment.
- See this flyer for Westchester locations.
Avoid medical debt
When medical costs occur (whether you are insured or not), your first action is to try to avoid having those costs bring you into debt, which can impact so many other things in your life. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers solid advice on managing money and debt. Their guidance on how to prepare for medical bills, dispute medical bills, and pay them is available here. You may also want to explore their full Consumer Education section for guidance on topics from auto loans to debt collection and reverse mortgages and student loans.
Ask your provider if they offer any kind of assistance before you get treatments—or immediately afterwards. There may be a time period to sign up for these kinds of programs, so check the deadlines for enrollment beforehand.
Financial assistance and charity care
Expanding on the CFPB’s guidance, if you concerned upfront that you may not be abe to pay for care, ask your provider if they offer any kind of assistance before you get treatments—or immediately afterwards. There may be a time period to sign up for these kinds of programs, so check the deadlines for enrollment beforehand.
Nonprofit hospitals are required to offer charity care under the Affordable Care Act. For-profit hospitals are not required to offer financial assistance but may choose to do so.
You can inquire directly at the hospital or you can get information and assistance from one of these organizations:
- Dollar For: Specializes in hospital charity care (rules vary by state)
- Community Health Advocates Guide: Provides info on coverage, denials, hospital and medical bills
- Undue Medical Debt A unique nonprofit that buys and relieves medical debt for those who qualify