Do U think the default rate of Dr.'s student loans adds to the cost of a Dr.'s visit?
536009
The default rate adds to the cost of borrowing for future students. This higher cost could add to the cost of attendance for future doctors, which could add to the doctors overhead, and personal expenses when she starts her practice.  So, yes, in this indirect way it increases the cost of some doctors visits, as loan default rates increase the cost of all borrowing and all business.  There are many more direct causes of the rapidly increasing rates for doctor visits. One of which is the insurance industry and its short term desire to turn high profits for its shareholders. \n\nIn my lifetime I have seen a Dr. visit in my major US city go from $30 to $180 for a simple visit. At the same time as the amount of time and quality of care has decreased dramatically.
289397
Okay, honey let's talk about a doctor.  A man that has gone to school for many years to get where he is, worked long hours, now he has moved into private practice is in paying off student loans.  Do you think that he would be interested in you?  What is your educational level?  Will you be able to carry on a decent conversation with him, an intelligent conversation?  Maybe you should set your sites a little lower or take up grammar lessons.
427538
Are you trying to say the doctor screwed up and caused the bill to go up?  If so, you have negotiating room.  Tell them to cancel the bill or they will be hearing from lawyers.
690043
If by the diminishing rate of interest you mean the APR (in the UK) - ie the rate that takes into account the fact that the loan will decrease in value over the term as it is repaid off....\n\nthen it will be slightly less than double the flat rate - so about 15%.\n\nNow this does depend on the size of the loan and the term - but it's a good approximation.
348067
Yes, we pay for visits.  Unless you have insurance, but you still pay for that, so you are paying either way.  \nIt costs a TON.  It's outrageous.  My regular gyno visit each year is about $300.  $300 so she can swab me and say, ok see you next year!  Once, I had mole removed because it was on my leg and I nicked it every time I shaved.  Turns out it was pre-cancerous, so I had to have the skin around it removed, on a separate visit.  Two visits, two biopsies, two sets of local anesthesia, the whole debaucle ended up being over $1,000.  And then I had to go back 6 months later so he could check on it.  The appointment was literally just him looking for 5 seconds and saying, ok, come back if another mole looks funny.  I paid $200 for that 30 second visit!!!  And, I was in college, but too old to be on my parent's insurance, so all of this was out of pocket.  The American health care system is in some serious need of reform.\nOh, and if you have no money, some of them are nice enough to bill you.  If you still don't have money, they report you to a collection agency and it f***s with your credit.
129501
Most likely NO.  If you can somehow get your doctor to date the "visits" in the future...you might get away with it.  If its prenatal care, explain the situation with her OBGYN, maybe you can work out a financial understanding.  Good luck.
533748
Yes, in fact there are, arguably, more loan options for graduate students than there are for undergrads.  Whether she is a master's student, a doctoral student, or a post-doc student, your wife could borrow...\n\n* A Federal Stafford Loan -- annual limits are $18,500 for most graduate programs (and even higher for health professions students).  Interest rates will be fixed at 6.8% for 06-07\n* A Federal Perkins Loan -- annual limits are $6,000 for graduate students ($4,000 for undergrads). Perkins rates are 5% fixed.\n* A Federal PLUS Loan -- these loans, formerly restricted to undergrads, are open now to graduate students. A student can borrow as much PLUS as it takes to cover his/her educational costs. PLUS rates will be 8.5% for 06-07, though many lenders are offering great interest rate incentives, bringing the PLUS rate down as low as 7%!
956072
You have severely underestimated the cost to the dentist.  I am an orthodontist, and I certainly do not pocket 80-90% of my fee, as you have suggested (boy, that would be nice though.)\n\nThe words GOOD and CHEAP can go together for clothing sales, not healthcare.  You generally get what you pay for when it comes to things like this.  If it is less expensive, then the person providing the care probably is not as good as the guy down the block.  In your area, I would anticipate spening between 3900-5000+ to fix you child. Payment plans help with your budget. Sorry this is not the answer you are looking for, but it is probably what will get your child a good result.
1076317
Make sure you consolidate and try to do it fast cause the rates are going up soon.  Watch taking out another loan to pay off, compare interest rates but get a payment you can afford.  If you default on a student loan, the government can garnish your wages, take tax returns and all professional licenses are subject to being revoked.  Good luck!!!
918794
Hello Melissa,\n\nAs the other responders have said, YES, it makes complete sense fo ryou to consolidate!\n\nEspecially being that you have such a large amount of student loan debt...\n\nThe government offers this program to students as a way to teach people a more effective way to manage your debt.. By combining all of the loans into one loan it simplifies your finances..\n\nThink about it, at the end of each month, do you wan tto be sending a9-10 seperate payments to 9-10 seperate lenders, or do you wnat to make one payemtn to one lender???\n\nImagine the checks, stamps, and envelopes you would use in just 1 year if you stayed the way you are..\n\nNot only that but look at the more important issue..\n\nAll loans taken out before July 1st 2006 are variable rates.. In the last few years interest rates have been on the rise... If you dont consolidate into a fixed rate, your rates will rise on all of your loans..\n\nTHIS MEANS YOUR PAYEMTNS RISE AS WELL!!!\n\nBy consolidating you get what is called a weighted average interest rate.. The take an average of your interest rate based on the amount of each loan... More importantly the interest rate is FIXED on the new consolidation loan..\n\nSo, it make s complete sense to consolidate your student loans!!\n\nRemember, the government offers this program FREE OF CHARGE!!!!\n\nMy name is Jason Fry, i am a financial advisor for Student Aid Lending.. We are licensed nationwide and are a title IV lender administered by the Department of Education..\n\nTake a look at my personal yahoo 360 page.. You can find alot of helpful information as well as a direct link to our website...\n\nhttp://360.yahoo.com/my_profile-HlUDUhMib7M9Wlj6o6L2SfGcEYtkt9xsaQ--?cq=1\n\nFeel free to call or email me at any time with questions, or curiousities..\n\nI will take time to answer any and all questions!!\n\nGood Luck!\n\nJason Fry\nStudent Aid Lending\n1-800-964-0642 ext. 114\njasonf@studentaidlending.com
1060772
Absolutely not. Three reasons:\n\n(1) Once you consolidate, your repayment starts now. If you're still in school, that means you're probably paying off one loan with another, which is a bad investment.\n\n(2) After July 1st, the Feds are switching systems. Your old loans will continue to be variable rate, but new loans will be fixed rate. If you're not in very deep yet on your student loans, then keeping the variable rate isn't going to matter much because the majority of your loans will be fixed anyway.\n\n(3) After you graduate, if you make less than $60,000 you can write-off the repayment costs of your loans on your income taxes. And most lenders and schools and graduate programs (and even employers) have loan repayment assistance programs. \n\n\nAll that adds up to -- don't consolidate now!! Ask yourself one question -- what do banks want to do on a loan? Answer -- make money!! So if the bank wants you to do something like consolidate now... the reason why is so they make money. Don't take the bait.
759187
Yes they will know because insurance companies go by your credit now instead of your word.  It will show up on your credit that you defaulted on your insurance premium.  Your rates may be higher someplace else.  If your mom is the primary insurance holder then it may not affect you but you may want to check into it.
234111
Maybe health insurance rates may go up
1129780
Um... I'm just attending a state university so it's a bit easier on the wallet.  As for student loans, I don't need it.  I finance my education through credit cards.  Thank goodness for 0% Introductory APR offers for one year!  God Bless America!
1054013
Yep it is a great idea. You can lock in student loans at about 3% interest. you have to pay it all back in the long run, might as well, take care of the high interest rates now, before they get worse. I did this with my student loans, I am still paying on them, but with an all time low interest rate, small monthly payments, and my credit is great .\nStudent loans are less expensive payments than most will lead you to believe. You can make a plan to pay it in up to a 20 year period. The interest is so low that it is not necessarily a bad idea, especially if you consolidate through a third party. I graduated with a masters a few years ago, I had 20K in student loan debt. I originally made high payments, but now I only pay around 120 a month, more when I have it........\nMy credit cards weren't that bad, but they were there. My credit was worsening because of debt versus borrowing ability, so I paid them off while I was in school. Think about it... You don't have to pay back until you graduate, and you are sure to get a better job than you have right now. It is the sensible decision. It is your money to use any way you need to, just make sure you can make it through the year, and don't take more than you need to get by. Good luck in school.\nIf you are paying back before you graduate, if you pick the right loan, there will be no interest at all. That is a no brainer. Pay off your cards.
1009021
In the district where I last taught, I paid 10% of the cost which amounted to about $90 a month. Currently I am retired, and I pay $857 a month for health insurance and another $80 for dental. That takes more than one half of my monthly pension. I have had to return to part time work to survive because of the cost of health insurance after 40 years of teaching.\n\nNo wonder health cost issues are paramount with the American public!!
554402
No, the actual cost of borrowing is less because you get the tax shield on the interest expense.  So, the cost of debt is (1 - tax rate) * interest expense.