05.06.26 Negotiating Medical Bills / Use Gift Cards ASAP

The Clark Howard Podcast

Clark Howard

Business, Investing, Entrepreneurship

4.6 • 5.2K Ratings

🗓️ 6 May 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Health care costs in America have reached a breaking point, with many being forced to drop costly medical insurance entirely. But whether you’re insured or paying out of pocket, you have more power than you think. Today, Clark discusses a key practice you can incorporate to help manage the high cost of health care. Also, we are currently in a period of intense retail instability. Clark explains how your gift cards can become worthless overnight, so in the interest of not wasting money - Clark has an urgent assignment for joyful spending - of gift cards that is. Healthcare Cost Strategy: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 Use Or Lose Gift Cards Stat: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Health care sticker shock has become the norm, but talking to your doctor about costs can help you rein it in — The Conversation⁠ What Is an HSA Account and How Does It Work? - Clark Howard Are Extended Warranties Ever Worth It? - Clark Howard How to Freeze Your Child's Credit - Clark Howard Why You Need To Use Your Gift Cards ASAP - Clark Howard 10 Secrets All Shoppers Need To Know About Costco - Clark Howard Ting: Fire Prevention & Power Outage Alerts How To Lower Your Property Taxes in 4 Steps - Clark Howard Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com / Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Make your summer with Starbucks.
0:04.0	Make it silky.
0:05.0	Make it creamy.
0:06.0	Make it ice cool.
0:08.0	Make it take the scenic route.
0:10.0	Make it sunset vibes all day.
0:12.0	Make it soft launch energy.
0:14.0	Make it smooth.
0:15.0	Make it strawberry matcher, caramel mocha or brown sugar.
0:18.0	Make it yours.
0:19.0	Discover the new Starbucks Cloud Frappuccino
0:22.1	blended beverage range today. Their delicious, creamy cold foam will make your summer. Subject to
0:27.7	availability while stocks last.
0:34.7	It's my pleasure to welcome you here at the Clark Howard Show. You know, our mission is to serve
0:40.4	you with advice and information that empowers you because you make better financial decisions
0:45.7	in your life. Okay, who doesn't know health care costs are out of control? I can't solve the country's health care problem. I've got some
0:58.2	ideas what I would do if I were your emperor, but I'm not your emperor. So we've got to deal with
1:04.8	what we've got. And that is what you can do about your own health care spending that's really important.
1:14.4	And later, I got a homework assignment for you because a lot of stores are closing their doors
1:22.1	and there's some things I want you thinking about.
1:26.4	So, health care, one in every $6 spent in our economy going to health care.
1:35.4	This is so much more than any other country.
	...

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