Sick Americans say they’re turning to TikTok’s creator rewards program to crowdfund medical bills

“POV: you watched 3 times so my mom can pay for her medical bills,” reads one post on TikTok with more than 44 million views.

The post’s creator is one of many TikTok accounts with small-to-medium-size followings that say they’re turning to the app’s Creator Rewards Program to monetize views and comments as a way to tackle debts and fund medical treatments.

“POV: you stay and watch this video for 5 seconds to help pay off his medical bills” reads another TikTok post with more than 3 million views. The video features a montage of clips of Elijah, a child diagnosed with reactive airway disease and Factor XII Deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that impairs blood clotting. According to Rolling Stone, his mother is now using TikTok to raise funds for his medical bills, asking only for viewers’ attention.

TikTok users with an excess of 10,000 followers and at least 100,000 views in the past 30 days qualify for the Creator Rewards Program. The program compensates creators for videos longer than one minute, with payouts averaging about $1 per 1,000 views, according to those who have monetized their accounts.

For viewers, this means giving has never been simpler or cheaper. Just watching, liking, or commenting on a video can generate earnings for creators. For some families, this form of TikTok fundraising is transforming their ability to manage overwhelming medical bills.

“POV: you watch us dance for 5 seconds and it helps pay his medical bills,” reads another post with a mother dancing with her baby son. Under the video, one person commented, “Not me over here just letting this video replay over and over.” The TikTok account frequently posts similar videos, urging viewers to interact with them to help cover the baby’s medical expenses.

Turning to TikTok to fund medical bills is a harsh indictment of the American healthcare system. As the only high-income nation without universal healthcare, the U.S. leaves millions struggling to manage medical expenses. More than 14 million Americans owe at least $1,000 in medical debt, with South Dakota, Mississippi, and North Carolina facing the highest burdens. Altogether, Americans owe a staggering $220 billion in medical debt.


https://www.fastcompany.com/91242285/sick-americans-using-tiktok-creator-rewards-program-to-fund-health-care-pay-medical-bills?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

Vytvořeno 3mo | 6. 12. 2024 23:10:03


Chcete-li přidat komentář, přihlaste se

Ostatní příspěvky v této skupině

Meme coins aren’t just harmless fun

For some time, meme coins have occupied a peculiar space in online culture. While there are peopl

27. 2. 2025 13:10:06 | Fast company - tech
Yope wants to be your inner circle’s Instagram

Yope is the latest photo-sharing app vying to take on Instagram and TikTok.

The pitch? A hybrid of a private Instagram and a group chat. While WhatsApp and Snapchat allow for group messa

27. 2. 2025 10:50:02 | Fast company - tech
‘Everyone wants to be a content creator’: Gen Alpha’s dream job? YouTuber

It used to be that if you asked a classroom of kids what they want to be when they grow up, you’d get answers like “firefighter” and “astronaut.” These days, Gen Alpha dreams of becoming content c

27. 2. 2025 6:10:06 | Fast company - tech
How AI is unlocking a cleaner energy future

The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual

27. 2. 2025 1:30:06 | Fast company - tech
Niantic unveils Quest app to explore 3D images from around the world

Meta Quest 3 users will now be able to explore detailed 3D scans of sculptures, rock formations, plant life, and other interesting objects from around the world.

The 3D images, which users can vi

26. 2. 2025 20:50:03 | Fast company - tech