2007-08-24 12:58:23 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
The hospital directly? No.
BUT, the hospital can turn the account over to a collection agency, and if the bill is high enough, they can legally go after any assets the person has. If the life insurance is listed as an asset, it's possible. (Same as house, car, etc.)
2007-08-25 01:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell the hospital that you can't afford a bill that high and you want to apply for financial assistance, they will or should send you a form to fill out and most of it is about your finances, bank and saving account statements, also tell them you want an itemized bill that includes just what they are billing you for and look for mistakes and double billing. I just got a bill from a hospital saying I owed $1751.42 to fix a broken finger. I spent 2 1/2 hours in the ER and I called them and told them the person that figured the bill was either drunk or on pot. I told them to send me an itemized bill and I will look it over.
2007-08-24 13:57:28 · answer #2 · answered by John P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It actually depends on the state you live in. For example in the state of California, life insurance death benefits are not protected from creditors unless the proceeds go into a trust. But once the trustees take the monies out of the trust it is fair game for creditors. Check the laws in your state first. Next usually the hospital is not going to want to wait for as long as it might take for you die, so they are going to send you to some third party collections agency that will get really annoying really fast. Best bet is to ask for some sort of payment schedule with them, or to send them a little bit of the bill at a time until you can pay it off. Do not, unless in very extreem circumstances file for bankruptcy, that will take you a very long time to get your financies back in order plus take it off your credit report.
2007-08-24 16:43:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, they can't go after the insurance, but it will go on your credit. As long as the person is living, they will continue to attempt to collect the debt. If the person is not living, they will go after the executor of the estate.
2007-08-24 13:06:37 · answer #4 · answered by Kimpossible 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No.
They will most likely turn it over to a collection agency.
Best thing to do is to contact the hospital and work out a payment plan with them.
2007-08-24 13:05:49 · answer #5 · answered by mister_galager 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, it will go on your credit, then if you still cant pay it after so many years there is a statue of limitations on it (i think its 7 -10 years) and then it gets wiped from your credit. I know the feeling I had the same problem. Good luck!
2007-08-24 13:06:39 · answer #6 · answered by Witchy Poo 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no one, not even a hospital can touch your life insurance. they will send you letters asking you to pay....but maybe send them $1.00 per month...any sort of collection is REQUIRED to accept anything given to them in the way of payment. Therefore they couldn't even take a garnishment of wages with the $1.00 payment. its an easy way to get them off your back
2007-08-24 13:07:04 · answer #7 · answered by cynicalgurl_84 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
no.. life insurance is protected. cannot make a lien on that
rambo 123
2007-08-24 14:13:40 · answer #8 · answered by rambo123 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no, but if you work they can garnish your wages for it.
2007-08-24 13:11:10 · answer #9 · answered by amazonwoman1970 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋