Kristen Eyester is a single mother of three children, all at different ages and stages of their life. Kristen works long hours at a full-time job, plus a side gig, to help give her kids the start in life they deserve. She is super proud of her son who just graduated high school.
Ironically, Kristen works in hospital billing herself, researching insurance payments for a collections company.
But that didn’t help her when it came to her own massive bills.
Recently moved to Durham, North Carolina, Kristen was still getting her bearings when she found out she needed emergency surgery. Being new to Durham, she did not have community or financial resources to rely on.
“After the surgery, the bills started pouring in. I just kept getting bills and the amount kept piling up. I was really overwhelmed.”
First there was the ambulance bill. Then there was the bill from the first hospital’s emergency room, followed by the bill from the second hospital where she had surgery. Facing bills from different places was confusing and daunting.
Still, Kristen is not one to sit still in a crisis. She applied for financial aid from the hospital.
“The hospital was not helpful. When I called them, they would tell me to call the billing department. They also told me to keep re-submitting the paperwork.” Finding the time to get through this paperwork over and over was hard for someone who works two jobs.
“I also applied to North Carolina state insurance, but they were not responsive.”
Continuing her research, Kristen found a site called WorkMoney, an organization that helps consumers save money on everyday expenses. WorkMoney told her about Dollar For.
“From day one, Dollar For reached out to me. They were definitely a big help.”
Dollar For helped Kristen with the application process for charity care which tremendously reduced her medical bills. Hospital paperwork is complicated and time-consuming “so it’s great when a company comes in and does the legwork for you. One less thing to worry about.”
When Kristen found out that much of her debt would be forgiven, she was thrilled.
“I was so appreciative. So happy. It was a true blessing.” Kristen was grateful not just for the financial help, but the way Dollar For walked her through the paperwork and knew about the process. By saving all that time, she can now devote herself to continuing to support the kids she loves as they try to follow in her footsteps.
Her advice to those who find themselves in those circumstances is to “think out of the box. Do your homework and find out your options. That’s how I found Dollar For.”
Read about other patients whose surgery bills are now history: Jose, Marquesa, Janis