2006-09-21 08:56:57 · 7 answers · asked by SUE 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I don't know if there is a law, I doubt it. But I do know that most businesses, especially hospitals are really willing to work with you on payments. It costs them money to send you to collections - so working with you could be cheaper in the long run.
Call the hospital's billing department and make arrangements to come in and discuss what you can pay realistically and regularly. Bring pay stubs or last years tax return as proof of income so they can see that you're not just trying to blow them off.
Some people can only pay $25/month - If that's all you can pay, based on income and your cost of living (rent, utilities,etc), they should be willing to work with that. Regular payments are what they are looking for - not trying to bankrupt you.
Good luck.
2006-09-21 09:05:51 · answer #1 · answered by kids and cats 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such law that I've ever heard of, though I've heard a lot of people spout a "10 dollar a month" myth. In other words, some believe that if you pay anything at all, and they accept it, they can't send the account to collections. In all my years of law school and practicing law, I've never seen anyone verify this old wives' tale about debt collection. Therefore I believe it's simply a myth. Maybe it's the law in one or two states, or maybe it used to be the law, but it's not anymore, in any place I've heard of.
2006-09-21 13:44:23 · answer #2 · answered by y_nevin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri will file insurance then send your account to a collection agency within a very short period of time. They will not wait for a reimbursement or work with you. They are in a lot of trouble right now for Medicare abuse, so I guess the karmic winds caught up with them.
2006-09-21 09:40:44 · answer #3 · answered by whrldpz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a law that hospitals have to legally offer you a payment plan through them before sending your debt to a collections dept...
2006-09-21 09:12:23 · answer #4 · answered by Love always, Kortnei 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow really..
Sounds like you don't want to pay your bills after they help you.
There is no law, policy dictates what they do.
They may ask 25% not to send it to collections.
2006-09-21 09:02:12 · answer #5 · answered by Scooby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There sure should be. The way hospital costs are soaring - there are not too many people who can afford to pay any other way.
2006-09-21 09:01:34 · answer #6 · answered by Paige2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats the theory and Im stickin to it! They get $2 a month from me...blood suckers!
2006-09-21 08:59:11 · answer #7 · answered by Sticky 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋