Veterans Receive Golden 'Tickets' Canceling Their Medical Debt

Rp Members, Connections, and Friends it sounds crazy and looks like a scam: a golden envelope containing a letter that says part or all of your health care debt has been erased.

But for thousands of veterans and family members, the mailings, which have been going out since 2016, have been the winning ticket for getting out from under a mountain of medical bills.

In the past three years, RIP Medical Debt has quietly erased roughly $65 million worth of medical debt for veterans, family members, National Guard and reserve members, notifying them by mail of the action, according to retired Army Col. Mikel Burroughs, vice president of military and civilian debt acquisition and relief at RIP Medical Debt.

The random acts of kindness are not just reserved for former military service members. Since beginning its mission in 2014, the nonprofit has forgiven about $435 million worth of medical debt for civilians with significant bills who are living at less than twice the poverty level, are insolvent or have more than 5 percent of their gross income going to health care debt.

The idea began when two collections industry executives, Craig Antico and Jerry Ashton, decided to establish a nonprofit to provide a tax-deductible means for individuals and donors to give money to forgive unpaid medical debt for those in dire need.

RIP Medical Debt works like this: Donors and organizations raise the funds needed to purchase medical debt from the companies that hold it after hospitals, providers, ambulance companies and agencies have exhausted their efforts to collect payment. RIP buys the debt for a penny -- or less -- on the dollar, so if a philanthropist donates $50,000, the non-profit can erase $5 million in debt.
Burroughs, who runs the veterans program at RIP, also is a donor. He will ride 7,727 miles this summer on his motorcycle to raise awareness and funds for the cause. His goal of $50,000 will help clear $5 million in debt.

In addition to working with debt holders, RIP Medical Debt officials have started reaching out directly to hospitals, physician groups and ambulance companies to offer their services. But they'd like to hear from them as well, Burroughs said.

"They are sitting on inventory they will never collect, and this is a great opportunity for hospitals to bring some revenue back in and also do something for their communities," he added.

Burroughs said one of the most difficult challenges of the program is having to explain to people that RIP Medical Debt simply can't pay the bills of individuals who reach out. He added that the organization is trying to figure out a way to help, but haven't yet "cracked the code."

"More than 10,000 people have contacted us saying they need help, but we can't do that at this point. We're working on it," he said.

Burroughs estimated that RIP Medical Debt mailed out between 60,000 and 70,000 envelopes last year. He said that for many, they are "a lifesaver."

Join us, sponsor the ride, or make a donation to and help us abolish more debt for our veterans before and during the 2nd Annual "RIPRIDE4vets" Here is the link: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/rrfv2/