Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 1 Location: New York City
Health Insurance, Huge Medical Bill, What to Do? Posted: 04-27-07 18:08pm
Hello all, I am struggling with my problem
for a while now.
About two years ago I had an emergency
appendix surgery. A month after that, the
bills started coming in. I didnt have any
insurance because during that period my
mother switched jobs and her new family
insurance wouldnnt kick in 3 months later.
The bills absolutely shocked me. The main
bill, was around 23k, about a dozen other
smaller bills ranging from 300-1500 came
in. Obviously I dont know what to do. My
mother was able to negotiate the main bill
down to about 13k, but was bombarded with
even more bills. Out of frustration and
anger, we stopped paying these bills and
disregarded them. I obviously dont have
any funds to pay these bills as I am just
a college student. It is also quiet
obvious the hospital is gauging prices and
sending bills for the things they never
did. A few months ago I applied for
medicaid and was approved. I am not sure
how it works but would it be possible to
have it pay for my past bills. Or since
that was 2 yrs ago, medicaid covering the
bills is out of the question? The debt
collectors started calling now and I am
becoming worried. How much power do they
have? Can they seize my family's house,
car, or take money from our bank acounts?
I am only 21 so I dont know how all of
this works. I will appreicate any
suggestions any of you might have. Thanks.
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GLSheridan
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 6 Location: PA
Re: Health Insurance, Huge Medical Bill, What to Do? Posted: 04-28-07 17:08pm
I'd be surprised if Medicaid would pay
bills that are 2 years old, but ask your
caseworker. It's certainly worth a try.
Most debt collectors will take small
payments if you ask. They'd rather get
their money in small amounts than not at
all. I'd advise not just ignoring the
bills as that will affect your credit
rating, which will cause you even more
problems in the future.
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AuDacia
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Feb 2007 Posts: 172 Location: west virginia, united states
Posted: 04-28-07 17:18pm
i had a similar incident happen to me a
year ago. i was in a car accident &
ended up in the hospital for 2-wk's. i had
just lost my insurance, and currently i'm
still without it, but i applied for
medicaid since i'm pregnant.
but back to the fortune of my accident! i
received tons & tons of medical bills.
i laughed when i read some of them because
i was charged outrageous amounts for
things i don't even remember having done
to me. it's ridiculous! but i can't argue
it. i called the hospital to see if there
was anything that could be done. they went
on & on about charity care, and sent
me the paperwork. when i received it, i
began filling it out. at the time, i
didn't live at home with my parents, even
though i was 19. i worked two jobs &
paid all my bills without their help. and
yet, the charity care paperwork couldn't
be filed without their financial
information. i knew once they found out
how much my father brought in, i'd be
denied any financial aid. therefore, i
gave up trying.
thus, i ignored the bills. and now - my
outstanding credit is well, no longer
outstanding. ugh! i'm currently paying $25
a month to pay off my biggest bill. it'll
be year before that bill is out of my
life. other than that, there's nothing i
can do. i looked into medicaid paying for
it if i get accepted. but i believe they
only pay bills from within the past 3
months? i could be wrong. you'd have to
ask your case worker like a previous
poster suggested.
good luck.
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Marianne0558
Supporter
Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 1743 Location: Charleston, SC USA
Thanks: 50
Thanked:6
Posted: 10-23-07 11:06am
If you are uninsured, the hospital has a
program for a reduction in the bill. Ask
about it.
Also, if you ignore your medical bills,
they can come out of your State Tax
refunds.
I would just make a minimum payment each
month. You could even pay like $5/month.
They can't put it on your credit as long
as you are paying something
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timatprime
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Michigan , USA
Posted: 01-07-08 15:57pm
I agree with Marianne, Talk to
administrators at the hospital and work
out a payment plan. Also in regards to
what they can take, if you were an adult
at the time (18 or older) they cant take
what you don't own. IE your parent's
possessions.
