13 replies to this topic

[Starfish Sandy]

Does any one know if in the state of Texas - a hospital can refuse a payment? My son who had an emergency room visit last month and no insurance coverage for his pre-existing condition. The "self pay" amount is 2300.00 - which they told him he could pay off in a 10 or 12 month payment plan. Do the math - he works a full time job, goes to school, has an apartment, car insurance, blah blah blah. When he asked about paying a smaller amount on it they told him that was not how it worked. He also pays 130.00 a month for insurance that doesn't cover his heart condition for another 11 months. (please don't hammer me on Obama's bill........I don't know enough about it to even try to argue it - all I know is my kid was born with heart disease and it's tough to pay the medicals)

Just wondering if there were any atty's out there or someone who has experience the same that might know -

thanks.

Sandy

[finGrabber]

I've heard that if you make minimum monthly payments that they can't do anything to him

he might also look into a health care advocate - they can put him in touch with charities/foundations that may be able to pay off the balance for him; the hospital itself should be able to tell who to contact

[dustbowl diver]

While I can't speak about Texas directly, I had a similar experience in Oklahoma when my son was born. Insurance had paid the hospital and they wanted to know when they would get their money. I told them that I didn't have that much and that I would pay it out over time. They told me they weren't a bank. I told them to come repossess my kid......Last phone call I received!!

[Scubatooth]

Sandy

? was this a county hospital (similar to parkland in Dallas)? Its my understanding the hospital can say a minimum but as long as you make a good-faith effort to pay the bill (Say a $1 a month) there is nothing they can do.


Tooth

[secretsea18]

Sandy,

Your son's medical bill works out to $191/month for a 12 month payment plan. I suggest he go directly to the hospital billing department and in person, discuss the situation with them... After all, another poster is correct, a hopital is not a bank. I am certain that your son will be able to arrange a payment plan that will work for him and the hospital. For example, my hospital is $6million in the red last year. It is simply not possible for hospitals to not get reimbursed for their services, or else there will be no hospital at all next time it's needed. Hospitals are not above sending folks with unpaid bills to collection, leading to major problems with credit reports and ratings of the affected persons. Even paying off with a credit card (one with a low interest rate) may be a better alternative than to default on the bill.

[Starfish Sandy]

Tooth, I don't think it was a county hospital - it's in Bedford.


Thanks for the responses -

[secretsea18]

My understanding is exactly what Tooth said. As long as you are making a good faith payment you are ok. Health care are considered differently than a car payment, the same rules don't apply. That is how it worked when my mom worked in the doctors office.

Not necessarily. Even doctors will send to collection, if no payment arrangement is made. Sorry to say, even doctor's offices are businesses these days. While we will usually make payment arrangements, we, too, have to pay the bills for running the practice, and to make a living. No doctor or hospital will make you sell your house, but please don't think that you should skip out on your obligations.

[Greg@ihpil]

Sandy,for what its worth.Not sure if either your son or you would be interested.I have used Care Credit thru GE Bank.Used it for my recent dental expenses.Its diverse in that even pet care can be used for it.The nice thing about it is you set the term.There are $ amounts for certain allowable periods.As long as you make the paymts within the term "NO % interest " No Bull----.Good Luck

[scubagoddess]

The laws in Texas are different than in most states when it comes to medical bills of any kind. As long as a good faith payment of ANY amount is made on a REGULAR basis, the hospital or physician is not allowed by state law to send the bill to collections or to add interest to the balance at any time. Usually they will tire of the small payments and write the bill off after the time fram set by the particular institution or medical office. If not, you just keep paying the payment. Remember to keep copies of all payments made and it would be best to include a letter with the first payment stating that this is all one can afford but that the payment will continue regularly...then keep a copy of the letter as well. They will rarely if ever agree to such an arrangement ahead of time, but won't turn down the payments if the alternative is nothing at all!

I hope this helps your son Sandy. My daughter is in a similar situation and it is working fine for her a year later.

Edited by scubagoddess, 24 March 2010 - 06:50 PM.

[secretsea18]

Wow... why would any doctor provide any service in Texas without payment up front???? Good to know. Why would anyone ever pay a medical bill, if you never need to pay....

The laws in Texas are different than in most states when it comes to medical bills of any kind. As long as a good faith payment of ANY amount is made on a REGULAR basis, the hospital or physician is not allowed by state law to send the bill to collections or to add interest to the balance at any time. Usually they will tire of the small payments and write the bill off after the time fram set by the particular institution or medical office. If not, you just keep paying the payment. Remember to keep copies of all payments made and it would be best to include a letter with the first payment stating that this is all one can afford but that the payment will continue regularly...then keep a copy of the letter as well. They will rarely if ever agree to such an arrangement ahead of time, but won't turn down the payments if the alternative is nothing at all!

I hope this helps your son Sandy. My daughter is in a similar situation and it is working fine for her a year later.

[peterbj7]

This thread makes me realise that nationalised health care is not just a good thing, it's a lifesaver for many people. I haven't read all the details of the recent American legislation, but here in Belize there are many disaffected Americans (mostly living here part-time and in the US the rest of the time, the whole lot being paid for by money earned in the US) who are implacably opposed to any "socialisation" of medical care. They say everyone should have insurance. When asked what happens to those people who can't afford medical insurance or who are declined due to pre-existing conditions they just say "that's not their problem". I see that as the height of selfish self-interest, but then I'm not an American.

[Parrotman]

the direction that this thread is heading is bit off path from the original question but I will put in my 2 cents worth as well. Sandy, do look into the care credit plan. I think it is available most anywhere and it is typically 4% of the outstanding balance. Still a hefty payment but alot less than the $191 that they want right now. As for the comment about hospitals not taking your home to pay the bill? Sorry but I will argue that point. A few years ago my wife ended up in the hospital for three weeks. The bill was $140,000. The diagnosis was basically " we don't know what was wrong with her but she is better now" I was told in no uncertain terms that I either pay the bill or the hospital would take my home. It cost me my entire life savings and I had to cash in my retirement accounts to pay the bill.
January of this month I ended up in the emergency room at the hospital. We live exactly one mile to the inch from the door to the emergency room. Between the ambulance ride, the doctors bill and the test, it cost me $8000 for the doctor to tell me that I had a stomach ache and it happens all the time. No treatments, no meds were part of that bill. My part of the bill was $3000. I was offered the care credit plan, fortunately I am in the position in life where I could pay the bill.

the health care system in this country sucks! Sorry but that is the way I feel. Hope it works out for your son Sandy.

Jim

[ScubaTex]

Sandy

I hope your son is able to resolve this matter, and his condition, without a prolonged financial burden. I agree with scubagodess's recommendations, but also make sure the regular payments are equal to the initial payment amount. It is important he follow the terms which he sets forth in his letter, so no 'red flags' bring it back into the hands of a collector.

To digress from the thread subject, I was fortunate to hear Patch Adams speak today to a conference I was working today. It was truly inspirational.

Bill