Medical bill sent to collections

amother

Blush ↓

Today at 6:57 am

vintagebknyc wrote:

I don’t know whether collections will set up a payment plan with you but you should call them and see. It will be cheaper than being taken to small claims court.

Nah this never happens. And it doesn't go on your credit report.

wrkngmomof2 ↓

Today at 7:03 am

Wow, she asked a simple question and gets judged and family planning advice… for those that asked if she thinks it’s right not to pay, have you ever been in a position where you cannot pay a bill? Stop judging.
I have been in the insurance industry for over 20 years. I have a company that processes claims.
Read the following regarding garnishing pay https://www.leadingageny.org/p.....0York

As far as not paying the hospital, for those judging, know that hospitals get millions of dollars every year from the government for people that didn’t pay their portion; and for those of you that will claim it is wrong for her not to pay, you are not Rabbis.
Op- I recommend speaking to a rav to see if it is ok according to halacha to not pay being that you don’t have the money.
Don’t stress too much about it.

amother

Teal

Today at 7:22 am

If it’s a government funded hospital it’s paid up by January. I got billed 20k due to a mixup on the hospitals part. I never paid. Got hounded by collections for a year and then it’s done. You can also just call and say you can’t afford it, 9 out of 10 times they’ll waive it

amother

Banana ↓

Today at 7:24 am

No collections agency is wasting time and resources to take you to court over $500, I promise

And they cannot put it on your credit

If you continue to ignore it, they will lower it on their own at which point you can pay or keep ignoring. I’m not saying not to pay, I’m just explaining your options

No, you don’t need to be scared of anything

amother

Junglegreen

Today at 7:24 am

If the full 500 is for the nursery stay, and there is no nursery then you need to call the insurance and dispute it. But honestly, you should have been working on that months ago, and not waited till it got sent to collections. If the 500 includes other things that weren't nursery you cant dispute those parts.

Also call the hospital. Once it goes to collections the hospital isn't getting the full amount anyway. So if you offer to pay on the spot they may give you a discount (like 25% off).
I think I read on this site recently that RCCS sometimes does than when paying people's medical bills..they wait for it to go to collections because once it does you have more leverage to negotiate with the hospital.

I have a high deductible plan and unfortunately had a bunch of medical issues this past year and owe over $3000 to a hospital. I called and asked for a discount and they said no, discounts are only for uninsured patients. It's so crazy and unfair.
A family member advised me to wait for it to go to collections because then they may agree to give me a discount. Not sure what to do... I'm too intimidated to do that

amother

Denim ↓

Today at 7:30 am

amother Mimosa wrote:

Why would you think you can just not pay thats stealing?

no its not stealing. its stealing when a hospital tries to bill $100 per sanitary pad, yes I did review the bill. the medical system is screwed, there is no caps and no control on what they charged. I pay $2K a month for insurance and my insurance paid the hospital enough to cover every penny of my possible incurred cost. I personally ignore any medical bills from a hospital. I have insurance, they dont need to be so greedy. If a homeless person comes in they need to be fed and treated for no reason other then that person wants a warm place to crash for the night and the bill will never get paid, Thats not my fault, I'm not going to pay thousands of dollars a year for insurance only for it not to be enough because I also need to pay for every illegal emigrant and homeless persons bill.
what happens is eventually the bill gets forwarded to the federal government and the Feds pay. which I'm totally ok with. 40% of my paycheck goes to taxes, I think I deserve $500 back for a new baby gift thank you very much. in other countries they pay you to have kids. I feel no guilt at all over not paying these outrageously insensible extra fees.

UROOT

Today at 7:40 am

I'm so sorry for you! I had a similar situation. We asked a shaila if we have to pay and were told we do.
BUT you can negotiate with the collections agency! (Great book to read if you want more details, Never Pay the First Bill)

"Hi, I feel terrible that this went to collections. Things have been really crazy and tight financially since the baby. I just can't pay this...

...Would you be able to settle this for $150? I think that's all I can manage right now."

Collections agenies want to close the debt, leaving it open costs them too.

Hatzlacha!

amother

Chartreuse

Today at 8:40 am

amother OP wrote:

I can budget in another kid in a year from now, an unbudgeted $500 has to be taken out of savings

If you have the savings then you can afford it. If you owe the money then pay it. You really should have confirmed all these details with your insurance before you gave birth.

amother

↑ Denim

Today at 8:46 am

amother Chartreuse wrote:

If you have the savings then you can afford it. If you owe the money then pay it. You really should have confirmed all these details with your insurance before you gave birth.

Majority of people I know, myself included, operate on a "as it comes" basis. its impossible to think of everything, cause then the fridge breaks down.
I find when you "let go and let God" when it comes to money, things add up.
At the same time, its very frustrating when hospitals, who are covered by insurance and get millions of dollars in Federal funds, decide to send an unexpected bill. for them $500 is not a dent on the horizon but for many families $500 is clothing shopping for a full season. I definitely get the thought process behind not wanting to pay the bill.

amother

Magenta

Today at 9:01 am

amother OP wrote:

For all the judgy people, they sent me the bill when I was still sleep deprived and engorged and sore at the bottom and no idea what’s flying…. Then I didn’t hear from them until now, 18 mos later.

I'm sorry about the reaction you got here. Its not fair. Most people I know couldn't afford to pay their hospital bills. Collection agencies are usually not paying legal fees etc. to take you to court for $500. You can call and make a payment plan or settle. Once it is in collections they are usually resigned to not getting the full amount.

amother

Canary

Today at 10:11 am

Collections agencies pay for less than it's worth. They might have paid $50 for the right to collect the $500 debt. That's why they're happy to settle with you or come up with a payment plan.

Do Google to make sure you're dealing with a real place. And if they do anything that feels like harassment you might be able to sue them. So keep records.

↑ wrkngmomof2 ↓

Today at 11:03 am

amother Denim wrote:

You are one smart woman! You obviously did your research and know what you are talking about, good for you!
Love how people that have absolutely no idea what they are talking about telling her what to do. What compels them? Maybe they should donate said $500 to the hospital

↑ wrkngmomof2 ↓

Today at 11:06 am

amother Chartreuse wrote:

If you have the savings then you can afford it. If you owe the money then pay it. You really should have confirmed all these details with your insurance before you gave birth.

Can I ask what insurance you have? Insurance and medical bills are very very complicated. Even if a hospital is in network there may be 10 drs that saw you in the hospital that are not covered, and there is NO WAY to know ahead of time.

↑ wrkngmomof2 ↓

Today at 11:08 am

amother OP wrote:

You really do not need to answer to anyone here pointing fingers, for all you know they have govt funded healthcare and everything is paid blindly for them yes they judge others.