hospitals and billing
By cdejac
@cdejac (98)
United States
February 10, 2008 2:02pm CST
I am looking for people to write to me about their experiences with their hospital's billing practices. Here's why I ask. My husband passed away from lung cancer 6 weeks ago and I always paid $25 to the hospital. The amount now is $100 + after Medicare and his employer paid their share. I tried calling the hospital number, but told that was disconnected. I called the 800 number and they are located in North Carolina. They told me to send them a copy of the death certificate, which I did, and a week later they are threatening me with a collection agency. My husband and I have always had impeccable credit. It angers me that hospitals and Doctors have to outsource their billing. I do not have an income now that my husband has passed away. I am too young for Social Security. My attorney advised me to not pay any medical bills, but it is difficult not to.
Please put "hospital billing" in the subject line so that I do not delete it. I am gathering information for an article I plan to write and need this information to help me with some facts.
e-mail me at either of these addresses.
cdejac@gmail.com or
cdejacimo@yahoo.com
Thank you in advance for your help.
cdejac
1 person likes this
2 responses
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
10 Feb 08
Well, if they continue to cash the 25 dollar checks, then they are agreeing to take payments. As for their threats, they can turn it over to a collection agency, but you can negotiate with the collection agency to pay the same 25$ a month. At least that has been my experience with them. They would rather get the money in payments than not at all. I'm dealing with one right now that swears they do not take payments, but yet they have continued to cash the 15$ checks I have been sending each month. I did write in the memo line what the new balance would be after that payment, and I do not get the checks back from the bank, I get photo copies. So by cashing those payments, there's not alot they can do about it.
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
10 Feb 08
Well, since you have been in contact with an attorney, I would have him contact them. Tell him that you will continue to make the 25$ payments, but you cannot afford more. Usually they are willing to make arrangements, And even if it is turned over to collection, all that would show on your credit is that you have been making payments on a bill. I don't think that one item will cause harm to your credit rating.
@cdejac (98)
• United States
10 Feb 08
Thank you for your input. It is definitely helpful. I know that I will not have to pay, but the grief they put you thru is harassment. How can it be severely late when I never received anything telling me otherwise? What really upsets me is that it was addressed to my husband who passed away 6 weeks ago. It just adds to my grieving which I don't need.
Thank you again for your input. It is much appreciated. I can use it.
cdejac
