can I get help paying for this?

[Katie T]

So I had surgery a month ago to fix carpel tunnel and now owe $2000. We are a family of 5 making less than 20k a yr. I was wondering if there was any way we could get help paying for this. The bills I have received so far are from the clinic even though the surgery was at the local hospital.

So who do I talk to and what exactly do I say when I call? I am really hoping they can at least help out but I don't know how to go about even checking into it.

We have insurance through DH work but my deductable is the $2000 I still owe.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[zebra15]

you can call the clinic and ask if they have a charity program, or see if the clinic is affiliated with the hospital. You can also see if they take payments, or have any other suggestions.

[gabbyraja]

I second calling them and asking. Even if they don't have low income assistance, they should at least be able to set up a payment plan. If any of the bills come from the hospital, they should have some kind of program. Just call their billing office.

DHS (in MI, at least) will help with "emergency medical expenses".

[jess_paez]

i had over 1,000 in medical bills recently from the local hospital and i called and they set me up with a program called care-network. it made it so i had 0% interest and my monthly payment was 40 dollars and the duration was 2 years. they sent me a card in the mail and i was able to pay online. it never went to collections this way. it has since been paid off, but it was great while i had it! i have to say also it was incredibly easy. i spoke with the billing department and she sent me a packet, no income guidelines, no start up fees or anything.

[Purple*Lotus]

I think it depends on whether they consider that surgery to be an emergency or not. I have had it on both sides and I don't think it would have been an emergency type surgery. Not that you didn't need it, but I think they might give you a hard time about that.

[Katie T]

Originally Posted by Bunnyflakes

I think it depends on whether they consider that surgery to be an emergency or not. I have had it on both sides and I don't think it would have been an emergency type surgery. Not that you didn't need it, but I think they might give you a hard time about that.

I agree with this. I will try anyways the most they will say is they can't help me.

[Purple*Lotus]

Yes, you should try, the worst they can say is no. Good luck.

[Fuamami]

Yes, you should also try to negotiate with them. I have an expensive vision issue, and they are always willing to negotiate since I pay cash. I usually get at least 20% knocked off right off the bat.

[blessedmama59]

You should call and see if they have a charity program. Also, as long as you just pay on the bill, they can't do anything to you..even if you pay $1 a month.

[goldingoddess]

If you're a family of 5 with an income under $20K surely you qualify for medicare, which hopefully can be applied retroactively to the surgery.

We just got a $6,300 hospital bill completely erased for us because I applied for the financial aid and wrote a nice long letter in addition to the form, about my son's burn injuries, our !0K deductible health care plan and where we are financially. I also put in how good the care we received was and how appreciative we were for any assistance. I was shocked that they paid the entire bill for us, but I guess it happens.

[cappuccinosmom]

Call the hospital.

They will likely have three options, first going to state aid, then to the hospital charity, and then to a payment plan.

I had to call the hospital today for a similar issue (smaller bill). The lady was very kind. For the charity stuff, they help you apply for the aid, and hold the bill until your application is accepted or rejected. I knew we wouldn't get any aid because of some assets we have (which are more liabilities to us, but whatever), so I asked about payments, and they will be sending me a new bill reflecting the small monthly payments it's split into.


Now, if your local hospital isn't as helpful, you still should be able to get some help. Start with your county welfare office. If they can't help you, they can give you ideas about who might. If you belong to a church, ask there. Might even ask around for some side jobs if you don't feel comfortable being a "charity case". If a side job could be picked up and the money dedicated soley to paying this bill, you could knock it out fairly quickly.

[Purple*Lotus]

Where I live you have to be pregnant or disabled to get medicare. Her kids would qualify, but not her.

[minimunklemama]

we just got a bill for $15,000 for a three day stay for hubby,thankfully insurance covers some but if i come across any tips i will come back and share,good luck mama

[Katie T]

Originally Posted by Bunnyflakes

Where I live you have to be pregnant or disabled to get medicare. Her kids would qualify, but not her.

Yup, kids get it but we "make to much" to get it for us adults. As it is we only get $185 in food stamps which I feel is on the low side.

I talked to the clinic and all they have is a payment plan with a minimum payment of $50 a month. We can't really afford that but it doesn't matter to them. Looks like I will be getting a letter from them every month and have to be approved through the business office every time Any of us go in till taxes come in and I can pay it off.

Thanks for the ideas I wish our systems were as understanding as yours.

[provocativa]

here there is something called a medicaid 'spend down card' which is for extraordinary medical expenses, even if you don't qualify for medicaid. ask your worker about it and if she doesn't know, ask others. it may be called something else in iowa, but it definitely exists.

[Purple*Lotus]

Wow it must be different where I live. I was told that I could die without gallbladder surgery, and they said I did not qualify for medicaid unless I was pregnant or disabled. I ended up having the surgery but thankfully a lot of it was written off because I was a student at the time.