When I had my youngest, I had no medical insurance. I paid off the doctors, and paid about $620 towards my hospital bill, but when the monthly payments started to get too hard for me to make, the hospital stopped working with me. I moved to Oregon, and have not heard from the hospital or the collection agent at all until I was served papers that the hospital is suing for the $3200 balance of the bill, plus 9% annual interest, and legal fees. I have no idea what to do. They suit says they contacted me, but the summons even has the wrong address on it! I don't know what to do. I would like to set up a payment plan, as my husband and I are making better money now and would be better able to afford it, but I don't know how to respond to the summons.
2006-08-06 08:51:55 · 9 answers · asked by Sarah G 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Unfortunetly, you should have inquired as to whether the hospitabl had assistance. There is something called the Hill Burton act and all hopsitals I believe offer it but you have to ask about it. I would ask them about it now because they are sure not going to tell you about it.
I did once, had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and submit paystubs but that took care of my whole hospital.
You need to find out what the statute of limitations is in your state as it may have run out and the hospital will not be able to sue you if that is the case.
Lastly, if none of the above helps, contact your local congressman and tell them about your situation and they can and will help you. That is the one of the reasons they are there.
Good Luck
2006-08-06 09:00:24 · answer #1 · answered by pcgirl2006 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Sarah - you really need to document this from the time of admission to the Arizona hospital until now. If you wrote them letters and/or wrote down in a Daytimer or on a calendar to whom you spoke (name, date and time) and results of that conversation/summary, this all needs to be written up and sent with a cover letter (sent by certified mail) to the hospital administrator/billing department, whichever you had the last contact. Also photocopy (or run it through your printer for a copy) the envelope and/or document of the wrong address, and include it as well as an Exhibit (label or number the attachments). If you are ready and able to make even small monthly payments, the hospital should be ready to work with you. I moved from Arizona back to California and almost the same thing happened to me (not a lawsuit, but threatening letters, etc.) and it had all been sent to an address where I hadn't lived for two years. I would contact the hospital billing department first and, if the first person won't talk with you, go above his/her head; if it's the head of the billing department, send your paperwork to the hospital administrator. Because you had not received earlier notices sent to the wrong address, they should make an exception in your case and pull it back from collections. Before you know it, things will ease up.
(former legal secretary)
2006-08-06 09:07:04 · answer #2 · answered by Serena 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably too late in the process to set up payment arrangements.
Call the attorney handling the bill for the hospital. They will usually make a one time payoff w/ you, that will be a portion of the bill and a portion of the fee. If you have to, borrow the money to take care of this debt, do it.
If this does not work, call a lawyer to handle it for you.
The next step for the hospital would be to attach any property, income or valuables you have. The only people more relentess about getting their money is the IRS.
2006-08-06 09:06:02 · answer #3 · answered by Seeking 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make them an offer to settle for the amount of the bill and nothing more. They could end up putting a lien on your property, so it's best to open the lines of communication again.
2006-08-06 13:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by misslabeled 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would advise for you to call an attorney that specializes in debt and consult with him/her about this issue. Good Luck.
2006-08-06 08:57:18 · answer #5 · answered by Susan G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a lawyer or call the hospital when companys or hospitals have your social security number you can be found anywhere your in there computer.
2006-08-06 08:56:44 · answer #6 · answered by New York 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dispute it in writing.
2006-08-06 08:55:34 · answer #7 · answered by ♥monamarie♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them you not coming to arizona.
2006-08-06 08:57:34 · answer #8 · answered by aadjele7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them you are an illegal - then it is all free
2006-08-06 08:55:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋