Owe medical debt? This is how you can get it down, or even forgiven WPXI [Video]

PITTSBURGH — Over 50% of all debt sitting with third-party collection agencies is medical debt.

Consumer adviser Clark Howard said in many cases that debt could have been forgiven by the provider.

Rene Coker’s cancer diagnosis is more than a physical burden. Like millions of others, it’s also a financial burden.

“I knew that I had cancer in December. That’s when I got my diagnosis. And my breast cancer is triple negative,” Rene said.

The single mother of a young adult son works for an answering service.

“I make $14 an hour,” Rene said.

Even after insurance, Rene faced tens of thousands in medical bills. Rene told Howard that her stepmother Kate became her advocate for financial assistance.

“She was just amazing in starting the ball rolling because I just couldn’t think about finances,” Rene said.

After speaking with one provider, Kate was shocked to learn just how much Rene qualified for.

“She said, ‘Well, she qualifies for aid.’ And I …