Hospital Bills Mounting... little relief from BK

[newbeginning]

Hi all,

As we were getting used to the fact that we could be free from colossal debt by filing, we continue to get hospital/medical bills. We have no choice to file because of lawsuits, etc. at our doorstep. But even after BK, we will continue to get medical bills to continue treatment for my wife's battle vs. breast cancer.

We thought that we could pay for the bills, but it's looking more and more like we will be in no greater day to day advantage even after BK and discharge.

We are now thinking about placing the hospital and doctors that have been providing treatment in the BK so that we are not immediately burdened with medical debt even just after BK.

If we do this, can these facilities/doctors deny future treatment? Has anyone experienced something like this?

Thank you.

VERY DOWN...

[LuciluS]

Same Boat

We are in the same boat with you.

My husband is in the hospital right now with possible Staph Infection. His blood pressure in ER yesterday afternoon was 60/40 in the ambulance. I know he will be in there until at least next Tuesday. He has a $2,500 deductible and $500 deductible.

I'm on Medicare insurance (Gawd Awful) and I have Skin Cancer. Had my first surgery middle of March.

If they are not a Non-Profit Hospital, it is my understanding they can refuse to treat you UNLESS it is an Emergency.

I had hoped to spend part of our tax refund on paying my medical bills from last year. I don't know what we will be able to do with these oncoming bills.

I did have my Pain Management Doctor and my Dentist write off 1/2 of what I owed them last year. I have a new PM Doctor as my old one no longer takes Medicare.

Both of us are Walking Medical Patients. Are prescriptions are over $500 a month and that is with insurance paying. No relief in sight.

I know how you and your wife feel. Will be praying for you.

Luci

[lrprn]

But even after BK, we will continue to get medical bills to continue treatment for my wife's battle vs. breast cancer.

Have you filed yet or not? I"m not sure from your post.

We are now thinking about placing the hospital and doctors that have been providing treatment in the BK so that we are not immediately burdened with medical debt even just after BK.

If you have already filed, then any bills from treatments provided AFTER you filed cannot be included in your filing. You will owe those amounts.

However, if you haven't filed bk yet, then wait as long as possible to file so that as much of your wife's cancer treatments can be included as possible and as unsecured debts will be wiped out when you do file.

If we do this, can these facilities/doctors deny future treatment?

Most healthcare providers are sympathetic in these situations and will do what they can to ease the financial burden if you tell them what's going on with your finances. However, with the economic downturn, hospitals and doctors don't have much wiggle room any longer.

Like any service provider, a hospital or a doctor can decide to ask you to not return for treatment. However, in my own nursing practice, I'm seeing that happen very rarely. But your care providers do have the legal right to sever their relationship with you if they wish after you include them in your bankruptcy.

By the way, you have to include what you owe the hospital and physicians when you file, because you are required to list all your debts. You don't get to pick and choose among them.

I hope your wife is winning her battle with breast cancer, and I'm sending her all my positive thoughts and prayers that she recovers soon.

[dingdong]

[newbeginning]

greetings all,

thank you for the info/encouragement....

we've already filed. our attorney told us that we could include creditors before discharge. it would require amending our file, but it can be done so it seems.

I will contact my attorney to include recent physicians to the list of creditors...or, hopefully, i can get on a reasonable payment plan.