WRAL News purchases medical debt: An update
WRAL News erased more than $1 million of viewers' medical debt by donating $12,500 dollars to a non-profit that buys medical debt already in the collections process.
Since those stories aired earlier this month, 5 on Your Side has heard from viewers looking for help
Most of those benefiting from the WRAL donation received have received a yellow envelope in the mail. Inside is a letter saying the recipient's medical debt has been abolished.
The station worked with RIP Medical Debt, a non-profit that works to eliminate the debt of more than 900 people.
They group uses donations to buy debt in bulk and at random. That's how they pay such a discounted price.
RIP tells us a $100 dollar donation can wipe out $10,000 in medical debt.
As for viewers reaching out to WRAL News for help with their medical debt: RIP cannot specifically target certain individuals or accounts because they buy chunks of medical debt from collections companies. In a sense, it's the the luck of the buy.
But those who owe medical debt can register to receive notification if a past-due account is included in one of the group's buys.
Previous stories:
- Nov. 7: 5 On Your Side's tips to prevent medical debt from ruining your credit
- Nov. 6: WRAL-TV donates $10K to help medical debt RIP
- Nov. 5: Man's $100K in medical bills holds lessons for other NC residents
