WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – The Wayne County Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services announced that $27 million in outstanding medical debt is being erased for more than 46,000 residents.
This debt relief is possible due to a partnership between the county and the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.
“Since we first announced this new program in March of this year, a program designed to wipe out more than $700 million in medical debt, I am extremely pleased to see the program’s success thus far in helping so many of our residents in need,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans in a release. “These resources will help to eliminate the stress they have been under as they juggle how to pay for crushing hospital bills while keeping the lights on and putting food on the table at the same time.”
The county has invested $5 million as part of this partnership and could add $2 million more in the future if necessary.
The medical debt was sourced from a local hospital, according to the release. The hospital wants to stay anonymous, but said it is “committed to community benefit and making healthcare accessible.”
To qualify for debt relief under this program, patients must meet the following requirements:
- Live in Wayne County
- Be four times below the federal poverty level
- Have medical debt that is 5% or more of their annual income
Officials say debt relief cannot be requested, and Undue Medical Debt can only acquire medical debts from providers who agree to be partners.
Residents benefitting from this debt relief will get an envelope in the mail this week with Undue Medical Debt branding and signed by Evans.
The recipients do not have to take any action. The letter is being sent out to inform recipients of the debt relief and encourage them to share their testimony.
The county will continue to announce medical debt relief in the future to keep residents informed.
For more information about the program, visit here.
