Building Strong Families February 2016 Volume 9 Issue 1 Medical Debt on Credit Reports According to a recent Consumer Finance Protection Bureau study, “52 percent of debt appearing on credit reports is due to medical expenses.” Also, “7 percent of consumers have medical debt in collections, but no other debt, on their credit reports. These consumers are likely to be more reliable bill payers than those with other types of collections on their credit reports.” The three major credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — maintain credit reports on most consumers. Unfortunately, many credit reports contain errors, which often lower their credit score. You may therefore be denied credit to buy a car or home or have to pay a higher interest rate. The information in your credit report could also keep you from getting a job.
Your medical debt could go to a collection agency because a hospital bill was not paid on time by your insurance company. A hospital record may not show you have insurance, which could be a real problem. You cannot afford to assume the payment by your insurance company was on the way, but had not reached the hospital before they sent you the bill. Do not ignore medical bills or overlook the fact that you have not received a bill, as this could cost you. According to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, 43 million Americans are overdue on their medical debt. And 63 percent said their medical bills had been more expensive than they expected.
Cooperative Extension Service Hickman County 329 James H. Phillips Dr. Clinton, KY 42031 (270) 653-2231 Fax: (270) 653-4754 www.ca.uky.edu/ces
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
PG2,3,5 Nurturing Families
PG3,8,9 Embracing Life As We Age
PG2,3,4,5 Securing Financial Stability
PG1,3,10 Promoting Healthy Homes & Communities
PG6,7,8,10
The CFPB has made recent changes to credit reporting guidelines. They now require “accuracy reports” from the major credit reporting agencies. They seek to reduce errors causing damage to credit reports. Credit reporting agencies should now be more accountable.
Accessing Nutritious Foods
Another change is a new FICO 9 scoring model, Last year, FICO presented a new scoring model that “‘differentiates between medical and non-medical bills that have gone into collections; medical bills in collections won’t carry as much weight in consumers’ scores,’ according to NerdWallet’s Lindsay Konsko.”
Empowering Community Leaders
Reference: Pratini, N. (2014, December 11). CFPB Releases New Credit Reporting Measures to Better Address Medical Debt's Impact on Consumer Credit. NerdWallet. Retrieved August 12, 2015, from http:// www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/2014/12/11/cfpb-credit-reporting-measures-medical-debt/.Source: Robert H. Flashman, Extension Specialist for Family Resource Management, University of Kentucky; College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
PG 2,3,5
PG2,3,5 Upcoming Events
PG2
Date
Event
Feb 13 1-3 PM Feb 15 8 AM & 12 PM Feb 15 12 PM
Crochet Club @ Hickman County Extension Office Walk and Talk @ HC Track
Feb 16 9:30 AM
Four River Counties Community Early Childhood Council
Feb 16 1:30-2:30 PM Feb 16 6:00 PM Feb 18 8 AM-12 PM Feb 18 5:00PM Feb 20 8:30-3:30 PM Feb 22 12 PM & 5 PM Feb 23 Times—> Feb 23 10:30 AM Feb 23 11:30 AM Feb 25 3:00-4:30 PM Feb 29 8 AM & 5 PM Feb 29 10:00 AM Feb 29 12:00 PM Feb 29 3:00-4:30 PM March 3 10AM & 5PM March 7 Times —> March 8 10:00 AM March 10 4:30 PM March 12 1-3 PM March 17 9 AM– 2 PM
SoFA’s Workshop
Spring Chicken Festival Committee Meeting
County Issues Forum Reality Store at HCHS SoFA’s Workshop Childcare Training at Young Center 1stUMC Walk and Talk @ HCHS Track
Meal Planning 101 1:30-2:30 PM and 5-6 PM Town and Country Club Homemaker Club Meeting Hickman County Arts Council
Please RSVP for classes at the Hickman County Extension Office by calling 270-653-2231
Don’t Miss Out in this Issue: Spring into Green Registration New Classes on Food & Health Crochet Class Walk and Talk Program County Issues Forum Cookbook—Recipes needed Volunteer Opportunities
Junior Chef Afterschool Walk and Talk @ HC Track Super Foods Learning Session Spring Chicken Festival Mtg. @ Ruby Fayes Junior Chef Afterschool Facts about Carbs Learning Session Walk and Talk @ HC Track 8AM, 12PM and 5PM Cookbook Committee GLAM Banquet Crochet Club Spring into Green
THANK YOU Homemakers Thank You to each person who contributed to Taste of the Holidays. You are awesome and appreciated!!!
Mail Box Members Corner included in this Mailing January and February Lesson: Shed 5 lbs through Wardrobe & Freezer Meals
Learning Session Feb 29 at 10AM Super Foods You may have heard about superfoods. You may even know superfoods can be good for you. But do you know why? Superfoods provide a host of benefits to help us live longer, healthier lives. They are high in phytonutrients, chemicals that occur naturally in food. They protect against cancer, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension and may also boost your immune function and perhaps lower your risk for infection. Please invite anyone you think might be interested in the topic. Everyone is welcome to attend. This class will be taught by Anna McCoy, Fulton County FCS Agent on February 29 at 10:00 AM at the Hickman County Extension Office. Lesson Leaders and all Community Members are invited to attend. Please call 653-2231 to reserve your seat!!!
Join Extension Homemakers 2 WAYS to JOIN 1. Mailbox Membership 2. Club Membership Here some facts... - Dues are $7.50 - Like to Start a New Club call Today - Receive Monthly Newsletter and Discounted Programs - Lessons delivered in Club or Mailbox - News and Announcements - Current Reliable Info for you & your Family - Current Club Challenge -> 2 new Members
Inclement Weather Policy: If Hickman County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, most Extension Programs and Meetings scheduled that day are also cancelled. Call the Extension Office for more information at 270-653-2231 or Melissa’s Cell at 270-627-1837.
New Cook Book; Recipes Needed Calling all Cooks- Extension Homemakers Need Your Recipes!! Attention Hickman County Cooks!! The Hickman County Extension Homemakers are producing another wonderful cookbook. We need at least 3 tried and true new recipes per Homemaker!! We are also taking recipe recommendations from previous Homemaker Cookbooks especially the White Cookbook with Red Binding. You can submit up to 5 recipes from previous Hickman County Homemaker Cookbooks. We would love to have recipes from anyone in the community; you do not need to be a member of Extension Homemakers. Bring Simple to Advance. We would like a well-rounded cookbook. We truly want our Homemaker Cookbook to be representative of this great corner of Western Kentucky—Hickman County!! Bring Recipes with Name, Contact Number, Clear Print, that have been tested (you’ve tried it). Deadline for Recipes is March 30, 2016. Cynthia has a folder waiting for your recipes!! You can bring them by, send them in or e-mail it to clarkins@uky.edu. For more information, contact the Hickman County Extension Office at 653-2231.
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Extension Agent for FCS Hickman County The Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. To file a complaint of discrimination, contact Jim Lawson, UK College of Agriculture, 859-257-3879; Terry Allen or Patty Bender, UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 859-257-8927; or the USDA, Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W Whitten Bldg., 14th & Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 (202-720-5964).
Crochet Club meets every 2nd Saturday at
1:00PM
KEHA State Meeting in Northern Kentucky The 2016 KEHA State Meeting will be held at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. Lodging room blocks are available at three hotels. Rates and detail for each are included below. Reservations will be managed through the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau. The web page will automatically display the hotels available at the special rate and will reserve rooms within the established block and is open for reservations at any time. If you have issues making reservations via the website, please contact the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau at 877-465-9282. The housing line is available Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. Marriott RiverCenter - $129 + tax (Rate includes complimentary wireless internet.) The Marriott RiverCenter is connected to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center via an enclosed pedway. Embassy Suites RiverCenter - $139+tax (Rate includes complimentary wireless internet, complimentary self-parking, hot breakfast daily and a daily evening reception.) The Embassy Suites RiverCenter is located across the street from the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. Guests will have to cross outdoors to enter and exit the convention center. Radisson Riverfront - $119 + tax (Rate includes complimentary wireless internet, complimentary parking and shuttle service to the convention center as available). The Radisson Riverfront is located one mile from the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.
Cooperative Extension Service University of Kentucky Hickman County 329 James H. Phillips Drive Clinton, KY 42031
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