what happens? This might be a naive question but I never knew what happens if someone has a stroke or is in a car accident, etc....and needs emergency surgery or needs hospital care for weeks or months........if they do not have health insurance/coverage, who pays the bill?....do they go after your assets?
additionally, if you need to see a doctor for something of concern, whatever it is, and you don't have insurance.....can the hospital turn you away? how does all of this work? what happens to poor people who don't have the money.....this is not meant to be a political question about our healthcare system.....I really would like to know how this all works. Thanks.
2007-02-13 11:44:53 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
It depends on the state first of all. If the state or the hospital has funds in place for indigent people then you may get help. If you are indigent you won't have to worry or pay or have your possessions possessed or your salary. If you are working they will consider you able to pay and they will set up a payment plan for you and expect you to keep, they do not charge interest yet. lol If you have no job but own a car or a house they will then expect payment also, how can you own property and not pay them? If you own a car and work but make little money you may get some help. No matter what, if you don't have insurance always check with the accounting department of the hospital and see if they can lower the bill or if you qualify for any kind of assistance from the state or the hospital, this usually involves releasing information about your assets and work and anything else they may want to know. There may be help for you. On the long term and quality of care without insurance...it will not be the same. Many out patient and therapy facilities want to be paid. Hospitals can't refuse you emergency care but all they have to do is stabilize you and let you go. So, the care is not the same, don't think otherwise. No hospital will tell you this but it is common practice. There is a case in a large city, maybe New York where an ambulance dropped off a man in a hospital gown and left him to fend for himself, yes. Just last week. So, medicine is not what is used to be or what it should be. there are huge cracks and people fall through every minute of every day. You may be able to find a clinic in your area that charges by your income, ask the hospital and if you have ) income they don't charge, this is paid with tax monies usually from state and federal combined. So, good luck. If it's an auto accident and the other guy's fault you may find a Dr. who is willing to wait it out. Maybe not. These things take time and they want to be paid. The have to take your word that it is not your fault and that you will follow through, they don't want a court battle to get you to pay them at the end, so that again is hard for anyone who has no health ins. to fill in while they fight the ins. company.
It is a very screwed up system and abuse and overuse of state programs by those that have it doesn't help. I know p[eople that went to the Dr. every week and took an ambulance and we paid the rent and their food and all their health care. They should have been an inpatient but, I guess it would have cost more, I don't know but it just seemed wrong. Also, everyone who has insurance or who pays outright pays for two or three that don't pay...that is why it costs us so much. It's not fair but hospitals would go out of business if the got paid by only those that could afford it and at the fair price. they would close their doors. All ready we have a nursing shortage and they get paid astronomical amounts of money for hospital work. It's a crazy world.
2007-02-13 12:08:16 · answer #1 · answered by MISS-MARY 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there is not any decision. Mandating people purchase insurance is unconstitutional. it would not count number no matter if it is a 'tremendous theory' till you are able to convince sufficient people to amend the structure.
2016-12-04 03:42:26 · answer #2 · answered by cheathem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm...the HP has to take u in, but u have to pay the bill... im not sure about the poor people honestly? dont they have like medicare or medicade or something?...they dont go for ur assests unless u cant pay (i think) but i know if u dont have insurance then u have to pay. haha i know i answered nothing sorry !
2007-02-13 11:58:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just find the nearest illegal alien and ask them.
2007-02-13 11:57:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
you'll probably die before you get the help you need
2007-02-13 11:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by J. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋