Hospital Bills

[patkatmom]

Hi there - My attorney just filed for us last Friday and we have our 341 September 9th. I need to get the last of our bills over to the attorney, but had a question on the hospital bills.

We owe the $150 co pays for 2 different hospital emergency visits. If we list those, can the hospital refuse to treat us after?? We live in a small town and there aren't any other hospitals around.

Thanks!

[shark]

A hospital emergency room cant refuse you treatment. A private Dr can though.

[TEW]

Yes pay Dr's but include the hospital

[lrprn]

A hospital emergency room cant refuse you treatment. A private Dr can though.

To clarify, an emergency room must treat you IN AN EMERGENCY.

However, if your condition is NOT LIFE-THREATENING and you have no means of payment, they can request that you go to another emergency room for treatment. Most ERs won't do this, but it is legal for them to do so when your health problem is not life-threatening.

A private physician or group always has the right to "fire you as a patient" and ask you see another doctor whether you have the means to pay them or not.

[lrprn]

We owe the $150 co pays for 2 different hospital emergency visits. If we list those, can the hospital refuse to treat us after??

It's really up to the physician practice and the hospital. Most doctors work for themselves or for their group and so can refuse to treat anyone they wish whether the person files bankruptcy or not.

A hospital ER cannot refuse to treat you in a life-threatening emergency. However, if your medical situation is not life-threatening, the hospital is within their legal rights to ask you to seek treatment elsewhere whether you file bankruptcy or not.

Because you live in an area with only one hospital, it is unlikely they would turn you away if you needed treatment.

And remember, you can pay back anyone you wish after your bankruptcy is over. That's one way some filers choose to protect their important medical relationships after filing against their doctor/hospital. Even though the debt is officially wiped out, they pay the doctor or hospital back after their case closes to ensure they can continue to see their doctors and/or hospital of choice.