Paying off Medical Bills - How?

whoatherechunk · #1 10-07-2008, 06:03 PM

I'm 19 and for the most part on my own. I've had some medical ordeals and well now the bills are piling up on me. How have you guys gone about paying off medical bills? Do I go to the places where I have been given service and try to negotiate some of the bills. For instance I've had small bills (below $250) which I can pay off easily with a credit card, but I have some bills that are now like $1525. Do I ask them if they can lower it and also give me like monthly installments? This truly sucks, but hey.....there is nothing more important than one's health.

Wally Malone · #2 10-07-2008, 06:28 PM

I had a surgery during a time I didn't have insurance. Sometimes hospitals and doctors agree to pricing from insurance companies so it wouldn't hurt to ask for a reduction. Of course there is no guarantee but it would help if you knew figures they would pay to an insurance company for the same services. I was able to work out a payment plan, just make sure you get them to agree on an amount that you can afford without missing the payments. This was my personal experience, YMMV.

Wally

bobba66 · #3 10-08-2008, 08:17 AM

They will probably work out a payment plan with you. You might give them a low-ball offer to pay off the whole thing at once. Worked for me on a years worth of Hep-C medication.

Pilgrim · #4 10-08-2008, 08:36 AM

Just remember, using a credit card is NOT paying them off. All it does is defer payment and increase the cost. What's your interest rate on that card, 12% or more? If you can work out a payment plan with them and avoid using your credit card, the long-term cost will be lower.

mjolnir · #5 10-08-2008, 08:47 AM

I feel your pain, bro. When I was 18 I had to have surgery on my left foot to be able to walk again, and though I was on my father's insurance plan the bills still totaled over $3500, none of which my parents were willing to help me with. Luckily I had a little more than that saved already after buying my car so I was able to pay it all off at once, but I'm sure if you just check up on it they'll let you pay the bill in installments.

bongomania · #6 10-08-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Just remember, using a credit card is NOT paying them off. All it does is defer payment and increase the cost. What's your interest rate on that card, 12% or more? If you can work out a payment plan with them and avoid using your credit card, the long-term cost will be lower.

That's the smart answer! Payment plan without interest is far better than any sort of credit with interest.

SnoMan · #7 10-08-2008, 09:22 AM

I'm aware that some hospitals offer charity vouchers. This isn't helping your current question, but should you need something performed, you can go to their financial office and as for them. This allows the hospital to write off whatever they do on their taxes. There are stipulations, but I'm not certain as to exactly what they are.

Also remember that any business would rather get some money than no money.

Rathead123 · #8 10-08-2008, 12:02 PM

You can get those prices reduced. You can pay as you can. You must let the billing dept, know what you will pay in installments, and they should work with you. Ive seen it done a bunch of times.

Mark Latimour · #9 10-08-2008, 12:14 PM

Teeter on the brink of bankruptcy and then wait for any one of a number of governments to bail you out?

blueskid · #10 10-08-2008, 12:22 PM

my brother had more than $20,000 in medical bills after an serious tree limb accident that also maimed my father. he didn't have any insurance at all. the surgeon and the anesthesiologist waived their fees for him, but the hospital was unrelenting. they wouldn't take less than $700 a month, which was as much as could make in a month due to the injuries and the two year rehab it took. he took them to court to try to get them down. in the end he declared bankruptcy, didn't have to pay them, but is s.o.l. when it comes to credit for the next 10 years.
the hospital was pretty $4!++y about the whole thing

SpectorBass308 · #11 10-08-2008, 03:37 PM

Rob a bank

MJ5150 · #12 10-08-2008, 03:52 PM

Smart move to be proactive about it. Negotiate the best deal for yourself, and stick with it. As long as you are nice, you can usually find a sympathetic ear in the billing department, and that person will try to help you out.

-Mike

Indiana Mike · #13 10-08-2008, 04:47 PM

I have been in your shoes , many more times than I would have liked to be .

Ask these places for financial aid forms . Most major hospitals have a program for reducing/forgiving debt.

Doctors offices???

When you fill them out include EVERYTHING you spend money on. Include all your debt ( include the medical bills you owe them and others as well )

IE as follows

Food
rent or mortgage
any and all insurance premiums
car payments
gasoline
utilities
monthly allotments for replacement clothing and the such. IE $100.00 or more a month
entertainment , be careful with this one but it is a viable expense.

ETC...

Take a hard look at your life and list everything you spend money on , items you need to live a normal life .

You will be surprised how much it costs to live.

It needs to look as if you have no extra money and you are close to budget or are in a deficit.

I have done this 4 times in the last 5 years and the hospitals have either cut the bills in half or erased them entirely.

I did not feel guilty either as I am the sole wage earner supporting 5 people and I struggle every week to make ends meet.

Indiana Mike · #14 10-08-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Just remember, using a credit card is NOT paying them off. All it does is defer payment and increase the cost. What's your interest rate on that card, 12% or more? If you can work out a payment plan with them and avoid using your credit card, the long-term cost will be lower.

The hospitals around here are now charging interest ( +8% )on bills not paid in full within a certain time period . 90 days I think