A hospital bill is not always the final word. This week’s Aging Untold walks through a simple habit that can save families real money: ask what a procedure will cost before you schedule it, and negotiate the bill before you pay it. Aging expert Amy O’Rourke says getting cost information ahead of time gave one patient the power to make a different choice about her own care, which lowered the bill. Bringing a second person along to review paperwork helps too, especially for older neighbors who may be juggling several appointments at once.
The episode also covers the American Geriatrics Society’s Beers Criteria, a list of about 100 medications that may not be appropriate for adults over 65. Gerontologist “Sam” Cradduck points out that aging bodies process medicine differently, so a drug that felt fine at 40 can cause problems at 70, including falls and confusion. If you or a family member takes multiple prescriptions, it’s worth asking your pharmacist for a full review.
Finally, a scam warning worth sharing at the next family dinner: AI-generated videos of celebrities and athletes are costing sports fans thousands, and even verified-looking fan pages can be fakes. The episode closes with retired firefighter Chris Monroe, who carves wooden swords and donates the proceeds to pay down school lunch debt. Have you ever negotiated a medical bill, and did it work? Tell us on our Facebook page.
