Medical bills (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Life] >> Finances



Message

Jenny-Fair -> Medical bills (7/28/2008 11:17:40 AM)

In March I came down with Type B Influenza and had to go to the ER. I have no medical coverage. I did not get the paperwork turned in on time for a reduction in bills. Since then I have carefully practiced avoidance.[&o]

But, the phone has been ringing. So, today I need to call the people these bills have been turned over to. Originally they were about $350 and 600, I think--there are two bills. I have been unemployed most of this year, and for the last several weeks, but I will hopefully be beginning work next week (this is not a sure thing...won't know until tomorrow probably).

How should I handle this? I don't have any money and certainly can't pay them off in whole, but I need to deal with this so I am not afraid of my phone ringing, etc. I am what you would call 'judgement proof' at the moment, but I don't want to default. And, I have no idea what kind of fees they are tacking on, but I am sure there are some.

Thanks for your advice. This is so embarrassing and worrisome!



Ps103 -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 11:34:09 AM)

quote:

I am what you would call 'judgement proof' at the moment, but I don't want to default


When you call them, tell them that. Tell them that you have been unemployed for a while, but hope to be working sonn and will make payments as you are able.

This is not an unusual situation for hospitals, so they should have a way of dealing with it.

When you get a paycheck, send them five dollars (more if you can). If they cash your check, that will imply acceptance, and as long as you are trying to make payments, they can't really do anything except annoy you (although, as you said, you are judgement proof right now, so that can't do anything at all.)

Praying your situation improves soon.



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 11:34:37 AM)

I would definitely call them and see if you can pay even just $20 a month on them. You might be paying them off for the rest of your life but as long as you are paying SOMETHING they shouldn't be able to send them to collections. You might also offer to submit proof of income...



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 11:41:25 AM)

quote:

This is not an unusual situation for hospitals, so they should have a way of dealing with it.

Unfortunately, it is no longer the hospital that I am dealing with--it's collection agencies, I believe.



Starbucks880 -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 11:51:14 AM)

Most hospitals, if you go and talk to the billing department, will be willing to work out a discount for those who are uninsured or low-income and will be willing to also work out payment arrangements, since most people can't just go and write a check. Even if they were to give you trouble, just explain the situation and why you can't pay that much--they would grudgingly accept it since they just want their money any way they can. It is not something they can't do, but more and more hospitals are pressured into trying to get as much payment up front as possible and trying to make people pay the whole bill. But that just isn't realistic and they do know that.

Now if it is the collection agencies you are dealing with, I do believe they still will work out a deal with you. Basically just call the number you need to (usually on the bills you get, you will have a number to call printed somewhere on the invoice) and talk with them. I wouldn't send any amount of money until you talk with the people and try to work something out, even getting the payment reduced.



BlueAdept -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:00:08 PM)

You can attempt to call the hospital, and see if they are able to work with you. IF they are not and there is a good chance they can't (will not) since you were avoiding them in the first place. Then call the collector, tell them what you have told us. DO NOT GIVE THEM ANOTHER NUMBER to call you at. Hopefully they will work with you, however..... this is IMPORTANT.... whenever you talk to the collectors, write down what was said, what was promised by you.

If the collectors tell you they are willing to accept X dollars for payment in full, if you pay "right now" make them put it in writing. Tell them you will be happy to do that once you have received their letter or fax. If they will not send you the letter, or fax then do not send them the payment agreed on. Because they will "forget" that they agreed to the lessor amount, and be back on the phone in a week, month, 2 months.

Another issue and this is just as important, NEVER EVER EVER!!! give your banking information to a collector. Once they have that, they can effectively drain your account. They don't care that you have other bills, car payments, rent, food etc.... to pay. You give them the account numbers and routing information, they may tell you they will only take 25.00, but if they hit your account for 250, or 1000.00 there is nothing you can do. Since chances are you didn't do it in writing, and even then banks don't always work with you.

Also make sure when you make the final payment, that you get a statement from both the collector AND the hospital showing the debt is paid in full. Then file that in your permant (IRS records) area. Collectors are horrible about re-opening old accounts that have been settled.

Lastly check your rights, know your rights as a debtor. If the collector crosses the line, then make sure you tell them about it.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:09:34 PM)

I can't pay a flat amount right now...I can't even pay my rent for Sept. or various other 'regular' bills.

So, how do I pay them each month without giving them any info? I mean, I can write them a check, but that has my routing info, or I can use my debit card, but then they could always charge more to that.



agapetos -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:12:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair

quote:

This is not an unusual situation for hospitals, so they should have a way of dealing with it.

Unfortunately, it is no longer the hospital that I am dealing with--it's collection agencies, I believe.

Collections agencies would rather you pay very little each month rather than ignoring them. As has been said, talk to them, tell them of the situation and what you can offer (even if it's only $1 a month).

The chances are, the longer you ignore them, the more fees they will 'tack on' to your bill.

It may also be worth you contacting the hospital as well to see if they can help in any way but you may have ignored this for too long for them to be able to do this.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:14:47 PM)

I know for a fact it's too late for the hospital to help.

Hopefully in Sept. I will be able to pay them off completely, but in the meantime, I just want to fend them off!



agapetos -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:17:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair

I can't pay a flat amount right now...I can't even pay my rent for Sept. or various other 'regular' bills.

So, how do I pay them each month without giving them any info? I mean, I can write them a check, but that has my routing info, or I can use my debit card, but then they could always charge more to that.

Ok, phone them and tell them that you are completing an income/expenditure form and could they please give you x days/weeks to complete it. Then do it. Cover everything that you have coming in and every expense you have going out.

I am pretty sure that it would be against the law for them to take your cheque and use it to get money from your account, as it would be your debit card. Do you have standing orders or direct debits there where a set amount is withdrawn from your account each month automatically?



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:19:25 PM)

Yeah, my internet and Netflix are both taken out automatically. But I did not have to notify my bank in order to do that, and would not trust a collection agency not to abuse that power.



agapetos -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:20:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair

I know for a fact it's too late for the hospital to help.

Hopefully in Sept. I will be able to pay them off completely, but in the meantime, I just want to fend them off!

Ok, well simply tell them that you can only afford $1 a week/month or whatever. Do not tell them that you think you will be able to pay them off completly in September just incase life gets in the way and you can't!

And should you find yourself in a position where you can pay them off in one go, contact them and ask them if they'd take less money from you by doing this ~ if you feel this is the right thing to do. Some people would pay the whole amount as they accept it's their debt.



agapetos -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:22:09 PM)

quote:

would not trust a collection agency not to abuse that power.
I can understand that if it was a verbal agreement, you need to get it in writing before it is set up though.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:23:16 PM)

I don't want to short the hospital any more than they are already being shorted by the agency. They gave me extremely good service and they are very well-run. Additionally, I would eventually like a job there.[8|]

And no, I won't tell the agency anything beyond $15/month or whatever.

Ugh.[>:]



agapetos -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:28:40 PM)

quote:

Ugh.
Yep.

From what I heard years back, the collection agency will have paid the hospital x amount by taking on your debt. You will not be shorting the hospital by paying less to the collection agency.

As to you working at the hospital ~ this shouldn't be a problem as they shouldn't be delving into your records in such a way. It has nothing to do with your ability to do whatever job you're applying for and would only concern them if the agency took further (court) action against you for non-payment (so you would have a 'record').



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:33:16 PM)

When I worked for my dad, we would turn collections over to an agency and we would only receive money when they did, and they took half.



Ps103 -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:33:21 PM)

For what it is worth, unless the collection agency is a part of the hospital, the hospital is not going to see another penny from the collection agency.

Usually what is done is that unpaid accounts are sold in bundles for pennies on the dollar, then the collection agency collects whatever they can on them, and if they can't collect it all, they will rebundle and sell it again (and again and again).

(Note that legally a debt bought in a bundle does become the property of whoever purchased it, and they have the right to attempt to collect it.)



stellaluna -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:36:01 PM)

WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! NEVER CALL A COLLECTION AGENCY!!!

Why do you think it's too late to deal with the hospital? That should be your first line of defense. Call or go to the hospital and beg and plead to set up a payment plan. If they agree to it, have them remove the account from the collection agency.

If they absolutely won't...DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY TO THE CA. Do some internet searches on CAs and HIPAA. It might be against the law for the CA to have any of your medical information, in which case you would basically be off the hook. DO NOT TALK TO THE CA OR MAKE ANY VERBAL AGREEMENTS. IF YOU CHOOSE TO PAY THEM, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING BUT DO NOT PUT YOUR SIGNATURE ON ANY PIECE OF PAPER.

etc.



stellaluna -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:37:39 PM)

(And yes, some employers do check your credit reports and yes, your medical bill for that hospital will probably be on there as a collection account. Whether that makes a difference in your employment or not is another question.)



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:38:15 PM)

I think it's too late because the hospital sent me a letter saying so.

How do I get this straightened out without calling them?



stellaluna -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:44:08 PM)

I'd take that letter straight to the hospital and ask to speak to someone about it. This is a fairly new debt...it's not like you got sick five years ago! [8|]

Anywho...you need to send a letter to the CA demanding that they no longer call you by phone and you want validation that they are allowed by law to collect money from you for a medical bill.

I'll PM you.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:51:20 PM)

Ok, I called the hospital. Thank you for telling me to do so!

Turns out that even though I did not get them the info they needed, based on the info I provided during the ER visit, they gave me a 100% reduction on my bill--so I owe nothing and they did not turn a bill over.

It is the physician's bill that I do owe for that is in collections. That is the small bill and I am very grateful!

Now I just have to deal with them.



stellaluna -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:52:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jenny-Fair

Ok, I called the hospital. Thank you for telling me to do so!

Turns out that even though I did not get them the info they needed, based on the info I provided during the ER visit, they gave me a 100% reduction on my bill--so I owe nothing and they did not turn a bill over.

It is the physician's bill that I do owe for that is in collections. That is the small bill and I am very grateful!

Now I just have to deal with them.

[sm=funny.gif]

Now call that doctor! [:D] (And read my message.)



Mrs.Wifey -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:53:53 PM)

I don't have time to read everything, but the hospital has the ability to "pull it back" from collections. They might not be real upfront about being able to do that, but they can.



agapetos -> RE: Medical bills (7/28/2008 12:54:25 PM)

quote:

Now I just have to deal with them.
Then contact them TODAY ~ either by phone, email or snail mail. Request they send you a copy of the full amount you owe if you don't have one. If you do, then ask them for x period of time to complete an income/expenditure form.

Please don't bury your head in the sand any longer.

I'm really glad you contacted the hospital and they were able to help.



Page: [1] 2 3 4   next >   >>



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI