Will they give me a break?

[amber913]

I recently had some medical testing done (which amounted to nothing wrong with me--just stress!). Three bills that add up to $645. (Yes, I do have insurance--ain't that a kick in the...) Most of this is lab fees from the local hospital. I'm tempted to call and ask if I can get a break and not pay all of it. I can't afford it, not even a payment plan.

Does anybody know if hospitals ever give people breaks on their bills?

[kmeyrick]

Also try seeing if there are state programs for people of your income that can help you. I don't know much else that can help you, but I hope you figure it out.

[Stella_luna]

It's definitely worth a try. Everyone I know IRL claims that they've received enormous discounts by begging. I have to add, though, that in my experience that has not been the case. Twice I've tried to get bills reduced (one an ER visit for ~$2,000, one a mammogram for ~$1,500) from when I had awful insurance and the hospital wouldn't budge at all even after 6 months of me begging and pleading. But I hope you have better luck than I did!

[Christine&men]

Years ago (like 2002), I broke a tooth right through the root! It had to come out and sorry, but I needed a bridge (I refuse to walk around with a gaping hole in my mouth). Well, it cost a pretty penny, but they let pay it in installments (at my choosing! even the amount was up to me, though I did pay fairly quickly). But I did hear that they sometimes lower their prices, any money is better for them than no money.

Maybe someone in your area already dealt with the hospital? Maybe there is somekind of consumer group? Get as much info before you contact them so you know what you might be able to negotiate!

Good luck. And continued good health!

[Purple*Lotus]

Some hospitals have a Charity Care program. When I had my surgery as a college student with no insurance, a large part of it was written off through that program. You will have to show proof of income, proof of all bills and proof of how much everything you own is worth. I also had to agree not to have cable or a telephone service as well. They consider those things to be luxeries if you can not pay your medical bills.

[amber913]

Originally Posted by ~*Jaime

I also had to agree not to have cable or a telephone service as well. They consider those things to be luxeries if you can not pay your medical bills.

TV, OK, but telephone service? I'm sorry, are we living in the middle ages here? Sheesh!

[Guinevere]

I'm not sure how easy it is to get part of it written off, but I will say that I'm in a similar situation at the moment (except that lucky me DOES have something wrong, and I'm having surgery on Monday, ugh!) and that I've worked out an extremely reasonable payment plan ($55/mo. for however long it takes me to pay it off.)

Good luck! Even with health insurance, I know how those bills add up quickly -- I have total sympathy.

Guin

[superstella]

I had a lot of luck with drs and hospitals, just calling and asking. The hospital especially took care of over $20k worth of bills and wrote it off to charity. Several doctors wrote their fees off as well, and a couple more let me make $20/month payments. I only had 2 things go to collections because they wanted their money, all of it, and right now, one for the ER doctors and one for the lab. It doesn't hurt to ask anyway.

Glad it wasn't anything serious anyway!

[mum4boys]

All hospitals who receive gov funding of any source has to have a charity care program. Make sure if you are approved you keep the paperwork forever though. We were approved and 6 years later they came back and tried to collect on the bill.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Stella_luna

It's definitely worth a try. Everyone I know IRL claims that they've received enormous discounts by begging. I have to add, though, that in my experience that has not been the case. Twice I've tried to get bills reduced (one an ER visit for ~$2,000, one a mammogram for ~$1,500) from when I had awful insurance and the hospital wouldn't budge at all even after 6 months of me begging and pleading. But I hope you have better luck than I did!

you don't have to beg. The reason insurance rates, and individual payment rates are different is becuase the ins. company pays a discounted rate. (basically, they negotiate the rate down -- so should you). Tell your doctor/lab that the fees weren't covered, perhaps they will bill you at a lower rate.

Also, talk to your insurance and make sure nothing was coded wrong, ect. For example, could they code this as your physical if you havent had one this year?

[Pancakes]

Originally Posted by aquarian

you don't have to beg. The reason insurance rates, and individual payment rates are different is becuase the ins. company pays a discounted rate. (basically, they negotiate the rate down -- so should you). Tell your doctor/lab that the fees weren't covered, perhaps they will bill you at a lower rate.

Also, talk to your insurance and make sure nothing was coded wrong, ect. For example, could they code this as your physical if you havent had one this year?

Lab fees are the absolute worst when it comes to difference between the billed amount and insurance paid amount. However, lab fees are almost always paid regardless. You might check to see why they weren't paid.

I have always had a hospital adjust my owed amount if I was uninsured, never if I wanted a discount off of my co-insurance. There is nothing wrong with asking for either situation.

[amber913]

Originally Posted by Pancakes

Lab fees are the absolute worst when it comes to difference between the billed amount and insurance paid amount. However, lab fees are almost always paid regardless. You might check to see why they weren't paid.

This $645 goes toward my deductible. My $1000 deductible. Our $1000 per person deductible.

Let us pray. Please, God/dess/whoever, have someone elected to office who can DO something amazing with healthcare. Amen.

[Pancakes]

Alright, if this is your deductible amount, it's already had the insurance discount applied. (if you went to an in-network provider) The hospital most likely will not discount it further, but it never hurts to ask.

[Free Thinker]

Ummmm... not to sound snobby, but you do have to pay if that counts toward your deductible, it sounds like it's already been billed thru your insurance and discounted. I've never had any luck getting anything reduced when it's already gone thru my insurance. Chances are they have already reduced the bill. The only things I"ve been discounted on were the things I called about in advance and did not have coverage on (the birth of my twins was discounted 25% by the hospital if I paid in full the first month). I've also called for other things and had no luck (lab work, ambulance bill). I say it pays to call and ask, they may be able to do something, but frankly you are responsible for your medical care, and it doesn't sound unreasonable of an amount. You are paying for insurance and have a $1000 deductible (mine's higher, $5K per person) so you definately need that amount in your emergency fund for when something like this DOES Happen. There is also a health savings account you can look into where you put money in each year pre-tax, and are able to take it out to pay medical bills, so it's there when you need it.

[pbjmama]

If it isn't already discounted through your insurance and you are able to pay cash I suggest calling and telling them that - what amount will you discount my bill if I pay cash? A relative of mine got a 50% discount on a major surgical procedure this way - she can't get insurance and has many medical issues.

[montlake]

Even if they did reduce the amount, you would still end up having to pay it on your next medical issue until the deductible is met. I doubt they will reduce it any, but in general, with medical stuff most places will leave you alone as long as you pay something every month. I have sent $5 checks each month on medical bills before.