Financial hardship - getting debt forgiven

Hi Fritter16,
In answer to your question about 100% coverage, only if you have:

1. a certain kind insurance policy or combinations of insurance policies;
2. covered 100% once some insurance policies meet certain limits;
3. some government programs for low/no income qualifiers; or
4. qualify for indigent care where the bill is written off by the hospital/paid for by a non-profit group;

otherwise there is not 100% coverage for hospital stays. There is usually a co-pay or full out-of-pocket expense without insurance or being covered by a program. Hope this helps to answer your question.

I am in the US and get medicare, which pays for a portion of hospital stays. Unfortunately, hospital stays are hugely expensive, so even the portion that's left can be huge (especially when I was inpatient for 3 weeks...)

To me, it's kind of cute the way our system in the USA sounds almost unbelievable to even our neighbors right across the border. It's like we're the weirdest system in the civilized world.

Yes, fritter16, we Yanks actually do have to pay the hospital back for the ENTIRE COST, if we do not have insurance AND do happen to have a good paycheck and/or some degree of wealth. That would include the cost of the stay, the surgery, and every individual bandage, I/V bag, and shot or pill, etc, etc, etc.

On the other hand, just about anybody (rich, broke, or in between) can get open heart surgery tomorrow morning, if it is needed. We worry about the money later.

Actually, a broke person with no insurance might get that major heart surgery the quickest. I've seen it.

Just an update...

I'm filing bankruptcy chapter 7. Looked at doing it on my own nut it was too much. Am paying an attorney to do it. My ex doesn't want the car put in the bankruptcy because his name is still on it so he is going to pay it off. At first he said he couldn't afford to but when pressed he consented. See the car is only appraised at $505 but I owe $6450! The bank will not take anything less or restructure the loan regardless of the worth of the car. Soon all this will be behind me.

I also wanted to tell you about 722the redemption whereby you keep your car. Just Google it. I don't qualify but somebody else might.

Love and hugs,
Tara

The situation with debt and medical care and property in the U.S. has gotten insane. My husband never used his medical insurance for over 20 years. When he did get sick, his medical bills went north of $250,000. We have a $21,000 out of pocket cap but ended up owing $30,000-ish (all due in 90 days, or the debt gets sold to cockroach collectors) anyway.

He is nearly through bankruptcy, but now is afraid to see his doctor, which he absolutely needs to do on a regular basis. The thing is, it is not an irrational fear, as you can only file bankruptcy once ever 7 years in the U.S., and when you go to the doctor you have no idea what the cost will be after tests, procedures, whatever. So, weirdly, having been through a serious illness and having had to file bankruptcy, he now hesitates to get the care he needs for fear of losing his job, house, and all the rest.

This MUST change. Like I said, it's insane. People who need care don't get it for fear of the cost and then get sicker, costing even more.

Glad to hear you are in bankruptcy. At least the calls will stop!

Insanity is the right word. Another term that applies is "perverse incentives." Like for me, I worry that if I go back to work, I will lose my County health care plan, which happens to be quite good. My psych care for the past year would have, otherwise, been unaffordable to me. Come to think of it, I am doing the pre-hire paperwork for a job. That is taking forever, but maybe that is good. I get to re-qualify soon for the low income county health care plan. I better drag out that pre-hire stuff, until after I get approved for another year on the plan. My employment has been real unsteady for over ten years due to declining competence at my work, along with severe emotional distress. I don't know which caused which.

TARA, sounds like you are moving ahead with what is needed. I think bankruptcy has gotten more complicated since the new laws that went through in 2005. I'm glad you have an attorney to represent you.

Tara: You are not in a unique. Many face what you face. I suggest you negotiate with the hospital. Go visit the accounting department and explain your situation. See if they will write it off since your insurance company paid 90%. That is good. If they turn it over to collections, they will not get but maybe 10% of what you owe.