I was forced to admit myself to Englewood Hospital in Englewood, New Jersey on June 20, 2006 when a skin infection worsened to an extent that my doctor counseled me that I must admit myself for emergency care. I was released on June 23, 2006 on or about 6 P.M. My total cost for the hospital care came to $22,061.00.
At the time that I was admitted to the hospital, I did not have medical insurance coverage. I did not get coverage until after the time period to file was over. I am being sued by a law firm representing the hospital. Should Oxford be responsible for the bill or am I automatically subject to the fine print that stated the filing period for claims? Oxford tells me I'm not responsible to pay since it is the hospital's responsibility regardless of circumstances. Is this true? I've heard that if a collecting agent can't prove they own the debt that I don't have to pay. Is this possible and if so, why wouldn't the lawyers know about this and make sure they own what they bill?
2007-08-22 04:41:29 · 10 answers · asked by Byron 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Contact the hospital, either the billing dept. or the social worker for the hospital to find out if you should have qualified for any public assistance or other programs or grants that assist people who do not have insurance.
In order to accept any payment arrangements, you will have to fill out a slew of paperwork indicating all assets, liabilities and income and based on that the hospital will advise you what amount they are willing to accept in monthly payments.
You may want to contact a bankruptcy attorney and review your situation to see if they recommend filing, depend on your other assets and liabilities.
2007-08-22 05:34:44 · answer #1 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never have I ever heard that you are not responsible to pay a hospital bill that you owe. Who or what is Oxford? That part is unclear. What about the part you wrote the collecting agent can't prove they own the debt that I don't have to pay. Your bill has not been in collections long enough to be own by any private company. It is now a little over 1 year old. You do not want this to be a bad mark on your credit history. Since this bill has been turned over to collections, it has been reported to the credit bureaus and can damage your getting credit. Begin to make payments if only $50 dollars a month.
You may have to get an attorney to get copies of all of the charges of your 3 day stay in the hospital. Charges like that are extremely excessive unless you were admitted to ICU. Our medical system is severly broken from all the welfare receipents that tax payers like us are having to pay for.
The person above who wrote that making $100 a month will keep it off of your credit is incorrect. When the bill has gone to collections, it is too late and has been reported to the credit bureaus. Also once the collection agency is handling the bill owed, you will have to deal with them and not the hospital to make payments.
2007-08-22 04:48:04 · answer #2 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could work out a payment plan with the hospital. Most debts are turned over for collection after a certain period of time. May be a lawyer or an agency. They get paid if they collect. When I was having finacial problems and had a hospital bill, I got letters almost everyday from different agencies for the same bills. Some even added their cost into the billing statement. Your credit rating will take a big hit. This can cause problems even after the bill is paid off.
2007-08-22 04:50:38 · answer #3 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure this bill is your responsibility. You should be able to set up a payment plan w/ the hospital and pay them what you can afford each month. If you make arrangements w/ them and are paying them something they can't do anything to you. I would consult a lawyer on this one. Some lawyers do free consultations. You could always file for bankruptcy too...that would get rid of this and any other debts you may have. Good luck.
2007-08-22 04:48:47 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apply for financial assistance through the hospital. Also ask for a itemized bill. Ive seen a box of kleenex be billed at $500.00 instead of $5.00. Also make sure that the self pay discount was applied. Make payment arrangements for the rest. Even paying $100.00 a month will keep it off your credit.
2007-08-22 04:46:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Who's Oxford?
Next time have medical insurance. It was your choice to either not pay to continue on your last jobs policy under COBRA or to not buy another policy yourself.
Contact the hospital or law fire and offer to make regular payments.
2007-08-22 04:46:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Quick--tell them you're an illegal invader and they'll wipe the slate clean for you. In fact, you'll be invited back to have babies.
Seriously, you can work out a payment plan, even if it's just $25 a month, should you decide to do so.
2007-08-22 04:45:32 · answer #7 · answered by SensiblySmart 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Send your bill to the White House!
2007-08-22 04:48:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is outrageous! Charging that much for one night. Be careful. Who is Oxford? Talk to them, now!
2007-08-22 04:48:48 · answer #9 · answered by PATRICIA MS 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you need your own lawyer and FAST!!!!!!
try this company ,its pre paid service, so you dont have to spend tons and tons of money!!!!
http://wserver0.prepaidlegal.com/Multisite/Multisite?site=go&assoc=glennshenkii
2007-08-22 05:18:47 · answer #10 · answered by jen 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋