My son had to have emergency surgery and had no insurance. he is now over $25,000. in debt to medical bills. he has applied for assistance but was told there is nothing for a young white male. What can he do to get this off his credit bureau?
2007-10-23 07:36:51 · 5 answers · asked by Beverly C 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Okay. Assuming he is over 21 and has no job, and is off your insurance, or has a job and is off your insurance, then the options aren't good.
Before this gets turned over to collections and hits his credit report, I assume that is what you are looking for, he needs to contact the hospital. I also assume that this is not the first time that a hospital will have heard this type of crisis story.
Since hospitals aren't credit lending institutions, they would not be billing him interest on his account. An offer to pay will keep the bill off his credit report. Of course it will be years before his bill is paid, but this is probably his only course of action aside from bk. Assuming he is in his twenties, this is not the way to start out in life.
He should be not looking to credit cards to get him out of this. The hospital I would hope will be reasonable. They do realize that if bk occurs because of their refusal to cooperate, then they will be out the $25,000, and their attempt to collect. If you son has any assets that he can liquidate or a car, then they will be grabbed in any kind of bk proceedings.
The website below show that some hospitals do have compassion for those who don't have the ability to pay entirely.
Good luck.
2007-10-23 08:09:56 · answer #1 · answered by Steveo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't even be on the credit report unless it has already been sent to collections. Most hospitals will negotiate the debt and provide assistance to uninsured people whether they are male or female so what you are saying does not make sense. Usually hospitals are very flexible with payment plans as well and at least in Illinois, interest doesn't accrue.
If he is in no hope of paying it back any time soon, he should consider a bankruptcy. But this depends on his entire financial situation.
2007-10-23 14:42:52 · answer #2 · answered by Lesley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a legitimate debt and if the medical providers have turned it over to collections, it should be on his credit.
His only recourse is to call the collector and make payment arrangements. He might be able to settle for less. Some medical providers will give a cash discount to uninsured people.
But with that much money, it is very likely he will be sued. The collector will win a judgment and can then attach his bank account, garnish his wages and lien his property. All of which will show on his credit for 10 years.
2007-10-23 14:53:54 · answer #3 · answered by bdancer222 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All he can do is try to negotiate some sort of payment plan, hopefully they will reduce the balance.
Just note that one of the main reasons people file bankruptcy is because of medical emergencies. If you are not insured and something happens, it can be totally devastating.
2007-10-23 16:22:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
how does he have no insurance, no job? under 18 and
wasn't covered under yours? Under 21 and in school
(he should still be on yours)
Otherwise, there are government programs that will help him
and being white doesn't have anything to do with it.
It won't come off his credit reports until 7 years after
he pays it off.
2007-10-23 14:46:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋