How do I pay for this medical bill? (long story)?

Question

A few years ago I was on some psychiatric drugs and I ran out and couldn't get more. The result was I tried to commit suicide but the police stoped me and took me to the hospital. The doctors there said I can either voluntarily commit myself or the doctor would do it for me. Since I didn't have a choice I decided to cooperate and I went voluntarily. I was only in the hospital for 3 or 4 days but the bill they sent me was for over $8000. My insurence didn't cover all of it and now the hospital is sending collection agencys after me for $1500. There is no way I can pay for this because I'm unable to work. I applied for social security disability but they denied me. I'm at a total loss. Now I'm wishing I had jumped.

I'm not entirely sure of this but I think it happened around August or September of 2004. I live in Connecticut. I can't remember when but they send me a bill/invoice that was supose to go to the insurence company. I OK'd everything on it (which I regret because it was way too much) but I never agree'd to pay for anything out of pocket.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, you should have dealt with this long before it went to a collection agency.

Most hospitals will write off a certain number of bills for people that are unable to pay. You need to talk to the billing department at the hospital.

However, what state are you in? It is quite possible that you are past the statute of limitations in your state. The law varies by state. You said a few years ago. How MANY years ago, like approximate date?

Post an update to your question giving me the state and the date this happened.

Also, when was the last time you made any payment on the bill or agreed to make payments?

Answer 2

Very few people have health insurance policies that would cover 100% of the cost of a hospital stay (at least not until a deductible had been met first.) Most have an 80/20 split even after the deductible has been met (meaning the policyholder has to pay 20% of the covered amount up to a maximum out of pocket amount per year, on most policies.)

If your original bill was right at $8,000, this would seem to be true in your case because 20% of $8,000 is $1,600.

This means that you ARE responsible for the billed amount. However, that doesn't mean that you should let it become something insurmountable. I sell health insurance for a living and the last time I had to have medical tests done (including a couple of MRIs), it took me nearly two years to pay off my portion of the bill.

If this hasn't already gone to collections, you can still make arrangements for a payment plan. And as long as you make some consistant effort toward paying off the bill, they won't send it to collections (but do NOT miss a month, even if you can only send $10.)

They are also much more likely to agree to write some portion of that amount off if you actually call them and try to work something out than if you just ignore it (in which case it WILL go to collections.)

Answer 3

All hospitals in Connecticut have a "free bed" program. You may qualify, as they are income-based. You should talk to the billing department at the hospital and see if they can send you some information.

Medicaid will help you in the future, but won't retro cover you to "a few years ago".

If you had insurance, it sounds like the $1500 is your hospital services deductible, and would not have been any different if the amount billed by the hospital were less than $8000.

Unfortunately, this is the result of not knowing the details of yoru insurance coverage. Listen when brokers tell you, or read the material when it is delivered by the insurance company. Every insured receives the information one way or the other.

Let me know if you need any additional help.

Answer 4

possibly they're getting him for mendacity to a choose or some thing like that yet so a procedures as i know they can't arrest you for costs. No borrowers prisons interior united states until eventually the courtroom twists it about like it sounds befell thus. sounds like he ought to a minimum of attempt to get a criminal help lawyer if he won't be able to get a PD. I owed the well being facility $seventy 2,000 for a stroke and they wrote it off earlier they even provided the bill ... maximum hospitals have donors who will back those costs in spite of the undeniable fact that the man has to stay with for them and not in any respect promise to pay them and practice they don't have any ability to pay. once you're up the front with them they are going to locate a software which will guard it for you. The well being facility's major purpose is to receives a fee yet they oftentimes favor the affected individual's co-operation and per chance the signing of a few archives to hide the well being facility. The choose likely knew this and replaced into disenchanted that the right channels had no longer been said so he got here down not straightforward per chance no longer understanding that your relative did not know that alternatives were available. oftentimes the well being facility received't volunteer the information until eventually requested considering that that could want to reason a run on the donors generosity and the well being facility may concern the shortcoming of a few donors if that occurs. i imagine the in undemanding words step at this aspect is to herald a public defender or contact criminal help on your section. they're now complicated to discover yet in case you contact your community county well being hospital they ought to have a tremendous decision for criminal help or be able to lead you to someone who does. The charities will all have the numbers too. Catholic Charities can oftentimes recommend a criminal help lawyer. i'm Dartagnon

Answer 5

Don't freak!

Hospitals have charities set up to help people who can't afford their hospital bills. Call the hospital and ask for a social worker and see if they can help you out. If they can't, make an agreement to send them $5 or $10 a month - even though you may never pay them off, it'll keep you out of collection and won't screw your credit.

Good luck, and hang in there!

Answer 6

Just send them 25 dollars a month. They won't charge you interest. As long as they are getting something they will leave you alone. Also apply for hardship status at the hospital. They will sometimes wave the bill completely.

Answer 7

Its probably your deductible. You probably have to pay it. If its in collections, try to work out a payment arrangement.

Before you pay anything, call your insurance company, and tell them you're being billed. If they confirm it is for your deductible, you have to pay it. If its not your deductible, they'll be able to help you. I've worked in ins & health care for 10+ yrs.

Answer 8

Don't jump....Call the hospital's billing department. You can actulally talk them down in price. If you had insurance at the time, they can only charge you what they would charge the insurance company.

Answer 9

make arrangements to pay a little at a time. don't panic.

Answer 10

If you are unable to work, apply for medicaid.