On August 6, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminded employers that student loan payments can be included as part of their educational assistance programs. Employers may pay up to $5,250 each year toward educational benefits.

The Federal Student Aid data indicates that an average student loan balance at graduation is $38,375. This loan amount will be lower for a bachelor\'s degree and higher for a master\'s or doctoral degree. The average student debt for a bachelor\'s degree is now $29,300. Because there are additional costs for a master’s degree, the average debt for those students is $66,000. Finally, the largest debts are generally for individuals who have attended medical school. The average debt for doctors who graduate after eight years of education is $264,000.

Student debt is generally lower for individuals who attend public universities. Since tuition is higher at private colleges and universities, attendees frequently graduate with larger debt.

The estimated total student loan debt is now approximately $1.77 trillion. This debt is spread among thousands of students. The average annual payment on student loans is $6,432. The Education Data Initiative reports that many borrowers take up to 20 years to pay off student loan debt. The approximate interest rate for student loans is currently 6.5%.

With substantial amounts of student loans, the employer loan payment is welcomed. The educational assistance of $5,250 is usually allocated towards tuition, books, or other educational expenses. However, the employer may allocate up to this amount to repay student loans. If the employer repays the student loan, the time for repayment of the loan balance may be greatly reduced.

I took an ambulance to the emergency room after I had a fall at home and just received a bill from the ambulance company. Does Medicare cover ambulance rides?

Medicare covers emergency ambulance services and, in certain limited situations, nonemergency ambulance services. However, Medicare will only cover ambulance services when they are deemed medically necessary and reasonable. Here are some useful details to know about Medicare’s transportation coverage.

“Medically necessary” means that your medical condition must be serious enough that you need an ambulance to transport you safely to a hospital or other facility where you can receive care that Medicare covers. If a car or taxi could transport you without endangering your health, Medicare will not pay. For example, Medicare will likely not pay for an ambulance to take someone with an arm fracture to a hospital. But if the patient goes into shock, or is prone to internal bleeding, an ambulance transport may be medically necessary to ensure their safety on the way.

The ambulance must take you to the nearest appropriate medical facility. If you choose to be transported to a facility located farther away because the doctor you prefer has staff privileges there, expect to pay a greater share of the bill. Medicare will only cover the cost of ambulance transport to the nearest appropriate facility.

Medicare may also pay for an emergency flight by plane or helicopter to the nearest appropriate medical center if the trip takes too long on the ground and would potentially endanger your health.

Nonemergency Situations

Medicare may also cover ambulance transportation in some cases when you are not facing a medical emergency. To receive this coverage, your doctor must provide an order stating that an ambulance is medically necessary because other forms of transportation could endanger your health. For example, if you have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, Medicare may cover the ambulance trips to and from a dialysis center if you have a doctor’s order that certifies that this mode of transportation is required for your safety.

You also need to know that, in nonemergency situations, ambulance companies are required to give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) if they believe Medicare may not pay. An ABN notifies you that you will be responsible for paying if Medicare denies coverage.

Ambulance Costs

Ambulance rides can vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on where you live and how far you are transported. Medicare Part B pays 80% of the Medicare-approved ambulance rides after you have met your annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2025). You or your Medicare supplemental policy (if you have one), are responsible for the remaining 20%.

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, it must cover the same services as original Medicare, but it may offer additional transportation services. You will need to check with your plan for details.

How to Appeal

If an ambulance company bills you for services after Medicare denies payment, but you think the ride was medically necessary, you can appeal. To appeal, visit Medicare.gov, click on “Providers & Services” followed by “Claims, Appeals, & Complaints.” To help with your case, ask the doctor who treated you for documentation specifying that you required an ambulance.

If you need help filing an appeal, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for assistance. Visit ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675 for contact information on your local SHIP provider.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Security Summit partners published a guide this week identity theft protection. The IRS and Security Summit recommends multifactor authentication and Identity Protection PINs. The IRS offers taxpayers the ability to create an IRS Online Account and a Tax Pro account for tax professionals.

1. Multifactor Authentication — Your primary protection involves multifactor authentication for accessing an account. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires tax professionals to use multifactor authentication to protect their clients. The multifactor authentication may be a code number sent to your cell phone or a similar authentication factor sent to your email address. In addition to multifactor authentication, you should always protect your username and password to all accounts. Multifactor authentication enhances security, as it reduces the ability of identity thieves to use phishing or social engineering to steal passwords or personal information. Many organizations now offer an option for you to select a code sent to your phone or an email address. This places the user in control of multifactor authentication.
2. Identity Protection (IP) PIN — An IP PIN is a six-digit number. For most taxpayers, it is voluntary but strongly recommended. You should protect your IP PIN and reveal it only to a trusted tax preparer. The IRS reminds taxpayers that they will not call, email or text a request an IP PIN. If you receive a call, email or text request for your IP PIN, it is likely a fraudulent request. The IP PIN is valid for one calendar year. You may obtain it on the IRS website by visiting the \"Get an IP PIN” webpage. If you are a victim of identity theft, the IRS will automatically issue an IP PIN to you each year.
3. IRS Online Account — The IRS encourages taxpayers to establish an IRS Online Account. Your online account provides access to your tax information. It also reduces the ability of fraudsters to create a false account and claim your identity. Your account also enables you to share information with your trusted tax professional.
4. Tax Professional Account — The IRS allows tax professionals to create an account to manage their client authorizations. With the account and permission from the client, the tax professional may send requests to a taxpayer\'s IRS Online Account. It also enables the tax preparer to obtain authorized information from clients.

The Security Summit conducts a summer series annually to educate taxpayers and tax professionals. Nationwide Tax Forums for tax professionals will be held in five cities this year. Information on the Tax Forums is available on IRS.gov.

What is the best way to find a good maintenance or repair person that can help with small jobs around the house?

Finding a good repairer can be a bit of a challenge. How do you find someone who will return your calls or texts, show up on time, do the job right and finish it, all at a fair price? Here are a few tips and resources that can help you with your search.

What Kind of Help

While it may seem obvious, whom you call on for help will depend on what you need done. For example, if you have an odd job or small home repair project that does not require a lot of technical expertise, a repair person may be all you need. But if you have a job that involves electricity, plumbing, heating or cooling systems, you are better off hiring a licensed tradesperson. Bigger jobs like home renovations or remodeling may require a general contractor.

Where to Find Help

One of the most reliable ways to find help is through referrals from people you trust. If your friends or family do not have any recommendations, turn to professionals in the field like a local hardware or home improvement store, or real estate agents. If you do not have any luck in this search, there are a number of online resources you can turn to that can quickly connect you to a wide variety of skilled workers in your area.

If you are looking for someone to do a home chore or a small job, an option is to use online platforms that connect you with freelance workers who have undergone background checks. On these sites, you can find help with tasks like furniture assembly, lifting or moving heavy items, mounting TVs or shelves, making minor home repairs and indoor and outdoor cleaning services. Freelance workers set their hourly rates, which are typically displayed on these websites for your review before you book an appointment.

Other good options for locating repair people are fix-it franchises or repair service companies. These companies vet and insure their staff, but they may be more expensive than hiring an individual directly. You may also consider using social networking sites to ask for recommendations.

If you are in the market for a specialist, like a plumber, electrician, painter, roofer or carpenter, there are also websites that connect you with licensed contractors. These websites also vet their independent contractors and will let you request quotes from several candidates. Depending on the website you choose, some may offer more details like average response time, specifics about the work they do and photos of past projects. To find these websites, use your preferred online search engine and search using terms like “how to find a home repair person” or “licensed contractors near me.”

Things to Know 

Once you have located a few candidates, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and ensure you are satisfied with the results. Get a handwritten estimate or digital contract that lists the tasks and the hourly rate or project fee. Next, ask to see their proof of insurance, which will cover any damages they may cause while working on your home. Also, consider asking for several references from past jobs.

It is best to pay only after the work is complete, though it is not unusual to be asked for a small deposit for material costs upfront. Whenever possible, you should pay with a credit card, since it offers the ability to dispute the payment if something goes wrong with the job. Checks and electronic payments do not offer the same level of protection.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.