Am I completely out of luck??

[cetiya]

I had my 341 feb 26, not discharge yet. but I just spent the last 7 days in the hospital, three of which were in ICU. my bills, even with insurance will be outrageous. no way I can pay them, and I havent even started getting them yet, but copays, deductibles, home 02, you name it will kill me. also I cant work cos I'm too weak, so I cant even pay my rent for may. what rotten timing!

[CindyLou]

First thing on monday call your hospital and ask to speak to the patient financial department and ask what you need to do to apply for financial assistance for the remainder of your bill. Hospitals will often refer to it an charity payments.

They will probably tell you that you need to wait until your insurance pays and then they can help you.

Hospitals actually get funds from the government each year to help offset any charity write offs. You do not have to be extremely low income to qualify in most cases.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

[JRScott]

Okay as cindy said contact the hospital and ask about financial aid. Try to see if they can cover the remaining after insurance, or at least most of it.

For your rent/food while you recover you might try some local charities (such as churches).

[MajorMike]

I'm so sorry!!! We don't have the best insurance, but out of $26,000 that my wife's surgery just cost, our cost is $200. How can these insurance companies even offer insurance when they don't cover you?

[Catia]

I'd not be complaining if your insurance co covered all but $200 of a $26,000 bill--I'd say that's one awesome insurance co--better than most!

Now I have questions--re: Cetiya's situation--is there ANY way possible when an unfortuneate medical event like this happens and you are in BK and not discharged--is there any way to get it included? Like a loop hole or something for extenuating circumstances? Or can the BK case be revised or anything?

I am just thinking an event such as this could easily lead to much future debt, foreclosure, credit issues, lawsuits etc--and that perhaps there is some type of law/code that might be able to help? Does any such thing exist? Is there anything she can do to?

Yes, many many hospitals have different types of charities etc, but I am concerned and curious about the potential future debt that this event creates--BK is a legal attempt at a fresh start--getting a 'discharge' is great--but if you're discharged with a huge debt looming--that's not really a fresh start--anything in place law wise that can be utilized?

[lrprn]

re: Cetiya's situation--is there ANY way possible when an unfortuneate medical event like this happens and you are in BK and not discharged--is there any way to get it included? Like a loop hole or something for extenuating circumstances? Or can the BK case be revised or anything?

Nope. Debt incurred after your filing date belongs to you and you have to do your best to pay it. Luckily most hospitals and physician offices are willing to set up reasonable payment plans - the very unlucky person just has to make the first move.

I was hospitalized 12 days after we filed Ch 13, so I'm very aware of the 'not so fresh' start that's possible after filing Luckily I was able to work with the hospital and the physicians to set up a payment plan we could support within our Ch 13. It took us a long time, but we did pay off what we owed by chipping away at it little by little over many months.