I'm a USA resident, but I live in another country. When I was in USA I was pregnant and had to go to the General Hospital for examination. I didn't work in the USA, didn't have any earnings so I thought I didn't need to pay. And I told so there. Now they're sending bills to the place where I lived on large amounts of money. I'm not in USA now. What can I do???
2006-11-25 02:51:55 · 5 answers · asked by Preciosa 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
Make an arrangement with the hospital to pay a little bit each week. That's what un-insured people in the U.S. do.
2006-11-25 02:59:43 · answer #1 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can hire a lawyer in the US to negotiate with the hospital. Often they can get the bill reduced significantly and arrange for manageable monthly payments. Some hospitals are notorious for charging exorbitant amounts for silly things. Once I heard of a hospital charging $400 for a box od kleenex in the room. The problem is that they code it on your bill to read as something that you can't understand. Also, if you pay a little here and there, you'll be ok. They can't come after you like credit card companies can. If the amount you owe isn't very much, you can often call the hospital directly to negotiate a lower price providing that you pay it all in one lump sum. They will be happy to collect anything, because they typically lose a lot of money every year because people do not pay anything for services rendered.
2006-11-25 11:11:11 · answer #2 · answered by candy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where you live has nothing to do with your obligation to pay bills for services/merchandise obtained. The fact that you didn't work in the USA doesn't exempt you from payment of a bill.
As a US resident you are aware that you pay your bills or face collection. Failure to pay a bill can result in inability to get credit, a loan and possible legal judgment against you.
If I go to another country on vacation, incur charges and then return to the US, I am still expected to pay the bill for the hotel, food etc.
Why on earth would you think you can walk into a hospital, be treated an not have to pay. I am assuming you are not covered by insurance?
2006-11-25 11:03:18 · answer #3 · answered by missourim43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, the best thing you can do is to just start sending what you can for the debt. Keep track of all pymts and copies. You may think about sending them certified with a return recpt. if you have no job or income now ask the hospital for financial help to pay the debt. It will effect you if you ever plan to return to the U.S. the bill will be much larger with attourney fees and court filing fees. Get it out of the way and rest easier. You might need their services again. Good luck!
2006-11-25 12:35:34 · answer #4 · answered by christina g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey!! That's easy.....Stay where you are, mark " no longer lives here " on the envelope and return it to the sender....
2006-11-25 12:24:17 · answer #5 · answered by Gerry M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋