Scott D. Horner Financial Planner w/First Allied Securities

09/23/2026

Some hospitals and medical providers are asking patients to pay more before receiving non-emergency care.

The trend comes as deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.

Traditionally, many patients received bills after treatment. Now, some providers are collecting preservice deposits based on their estimate of what a patient may owe.

A KFF Health News report noted that the average deductible for employer-sponsored family coverage is $3,762 per person. The average deductible for Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage rose 37% this year to $3,786.

For patients, upfront payment requests can create confusion, especially when insurance networks, deductibles, and estimated costs are unclear.

Emergency care has different rules. Hospitals that accept Medicare funding cannot demand upfront payment before stabilizing a patient who arrives at an emergency room.

For non-emergency care, it may be worth asking for an itemized estimate, confirming network status, and checking with the insurance company before making a large payment.


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Hospitals and other medical providers are increasingly asking for payment before providing care, collecting more of what patients might owe.

09/21/2026

The Fed's latest rate decision has captured attention, but earnings season may provide additional insight into the health of corporate America.
In this week's , CIO Gene Goldman discusses earnings expectations, the sectors driving recent growth, and key areas to watch as companies begin reporting quarterly results.

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

09/17/2026

Read the latest issue of Financial Watch here:

When you know where your money is going, it can be easier to make sure it's going toward the things that matter most to you. In this month's Financial Watch,…

09/16/2026

U.S. credit card debt is approaching a record high.

Americans’ credit card balances reached $1.26 trillion in the second quarter, rising by $21 billion, according to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

That puts credit card debt just below the all-time high of $1.28 trillion set late last year.

Strong consumer spending is one factor behind higher balances. Rising prices for essentials like groceries and gas may also be contributing.

Delinquencies remain a concern. The share of credit card balances more than 90 days delinquent rose from 7.6% to 12.8% from mid-2022 through early 2026.

Total U.S. household debt now stands at $18.8 trillion. Auto loan debt also reached a new high of $1.71 trillion.

For households, rising debt is a reminder that everyday expenses, interest rates, minimum payments, and emergency costs can all affect financial flexibility.


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Americans' credit card debt reached $1.26 trillion, increasing by $21 billion in the second quarter of this year, according to new data.

09/14/2026

Could the Fed pull the trigger on another rate hike?
Inflation pressures remain elevated, so will be watching Wednesday's FOMC meeting closely.
Chief Market Strategist Brian Klimke discusses what the Fed is expected to do, why inflation remains a challenge, and what bond markets are signaling for the year ahead in .

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

09/09/2026

The Treasury Department is increasing the size of its government debt buybacks amid ongoing pressures in the longer-term bond market.

The department said it will at least double the maximum size of certain buyback operations, from $2 billion to at least $4 billion, targeting the 10- to 20-year and 20- to 30-year portions of the Treasury market.

Following the announcement, the 10-year Treasury yield fell 6 basis points to 4.647%, while the 30-year bond yield fell 9 basis points to 5.196%. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.

The move is designed to support liquidity in longer-dated Treasury securities, though economists noted that it does not change the broader fiscal backdrop or the government’s ongoing financing needs.


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The announcement targets the sensitive longer-duration part of the Treasury market.

09/08/2026

Jobs, inflation, and interest rates remain closely connected, making this week's inflation data especially important for markets and the Federal Reserve.
Join CIO Gene Goldman on this week's episode of as he examines the final inflation reports before the Fed's September 16 meeting, what recent labor market data tells us about the economy, and why persistent price pressures could influence the outlook for interest rates and market performance.

“Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

09/08/2026

Read the latest issue of Retire Wise here:

For a lot of retirees, filing for Social Security felt like crossing a finish line. But the strategy behind that decision doesn't have to stay frozen the day…

09/02/2026

A personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine is showing promise in a late-stage melanoma trial.

Merck and Moderna said the individualized vaccine, paired with the existing immunotherapy Keytruda, significantly reduced the risk of cancer returning or spreading in high-risk melanoma patients whose cancer had been surgically removed.

Earlier Phase 2b data showed a 49% reduction in melanoma recurrence after surgery and a 59% reduction in the cancer spreading to distant organs.

The vaccine is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Regulators still need to review the full data once it has been collected and submitted.

For now, the results mark another step in the study of mRNA technology for cancer treatment.


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Merck and Moderna announced Wednesday that a personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine succeeded in a large, late-stage trial among patients with melanoma.

09/02/2026

This Monthly Recap summarizes market performance, major events and news from August 2026. Read more here: