$70,000 medical bill! HELP!?

Question

I have a friend who was in an ATV accident a few years ago. At the time of his accident, he busted up his arms pretty bad and had to be Mercy-flighted to Buffalo NY. He did not have health insurance at the time of his accident so he is stuck with almost $70,000 worth of hospital bills!

Isn't there any assistance or anything he can get?

Answer 1

Please have your friend call up the hospital's Patient Accounting/Billing office and ask customer service rep for financial assistance toward his bill. They should be able to provide your friend with a financial assistance application and the policies/income guidelines they go by when considering whether applicants are eligible.

Please disregard by mbrcat's response- bankruptcy is not the only answer. Many hospitals have a time limit on financial assistance so hopefully it's not too late. He probably should have applied for state medical assistance at the time.

If he was hurt in an ATV accident, was this on his property? My thinking is maybe there's homeowner's insurance to cover the bill.

Anyway, try the fin assit route. If the bills haven't gone to collections, he should set up a payment plan with the hospital directly. They can probably send him to collections if he doesn't pay something every month. They may be able to offer a lump-sum negotiated-settlement discount as well. If you've exhausted all other options, then maybe he should consider bankruptcy, but only as a last resort.

E-mail me with questions!

Answer 2

Most hospitals have indignet programs that cover the hospital's costs. He needs to contact their business office and find out how to apply or make an appointment to speak with a financial officer. He may qualify for a reduced bill or even have his hospital bill whped out. Keep in mind that doctors and the lifeflight are more than likely seperate. Never try to finance a hospital bill if you can help it.

Answer 3

He could call the hospital and see if there's any charity programs set up to help with these kinds of things... Otherwise, he's gotta make payments - even $20 a month, to stay out of collection and keep his credit rating.

Answer 4

Nope.

Uninsured health problems/accidents are the #1 cause of bankruptcy filings in the US.

Answer 5

the hospitals some times have programs and also just call and see if they will reduce it at all and if not just that monthly payement is all you can do

Answer 6

there is always bankruptcy court----but if owns any property then he might not qualify for bankruptcy