| Apr 16, 2008 @ 6:53 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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sealacamp
Posts: 3,681
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I am posting this in hopes that someone may have a suggestion for me and my wife. I have recently married and my wife is from a foreign country. The social security people sat on her paper work for two months or more, until her visa expired. So we are not able to get her a ssn until they upgrade her status. She had a health condition that we did not know what it was and while we have been dealing with the government we have been taking her to the hospital and just paying for what services we have gotten until we found out what the deal was.
We did this because she seemed to be getting worse and the lack of a ssn kept us from getting insurance. She had a major heart problem and had to have emergency surgery last week. All of this without health insurance. We have gotten some bills and know more are coming. It looks as if her tally will exceed 30,000 dollars. I have turned our case over to a debt solution company because I am not sure what else we can do.
Do any of you have any suggestions about a better course of action in getting these bills paid? I am open to anything legitimate.
Thanks
Sealacamp
[Edited on 4/16/2008 7:00 PM]
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 6:54 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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graywolf
Posts: 44,520
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seal, you need to contact The American Heart Association. Will you keep you and your wife in my prayers.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 6:59 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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Loreli
Posts: 25,398
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Heck-
I just ordered replacement cards...and haven't seen them...been over a month.
The accountant didn't want to file my taxes without them (because of 9-11, she claims)
That really stinks, seal. Also contact your local Salvation Army, VA has a group that helps. Maybe get a pro bono attorney. Shake em up a bit.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 7:10 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,625
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This is Haban -- Need a bit more info.
Are you on a group insurance plan, or were you starting a new individual plan? is this private insurance, or something like Medicare?
If you have married someone during the time an insurance policy is in force, it is considered a change of status which allows you to add the new spouse or children to your policy right away. Generally, visa status is not considered when adding a spouse, although you may get questions about when the marriage occured, if you're living together, etc. If you notified your HR department about the marriage, you may be able to get info from them about how to add her to your policy.
I may be able to chase down more info. Why don't you send me a PM rather than tell the world here all about the issues?.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 7:20 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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BandTMom
Posts: 38,047
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Seal, most hospitals will write off a big portion of your bills if not all. Talk to the business office and tell them your situation. You certainly should qualify for hardship.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 7:36 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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sealacamp
Posts: 3,681
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Are you on a group insurance plan, or were you starting a new individual plan? is this private insurance, or something like Medicare?
Haban I don't mind if people get to see this, it may help someone else. We were denied insurance because she doesn't have a social security number. We spent two months looking at different policies. Three private ones and also putting her on my policy with me at work. Everywhere we turned we were told that they could not sign her up due to a lack of the social security number. I am not sure how all of that works so I just figured these insurance professionals know what they are talking about. But you know maybe they don't.
Grey I emailed the american heart folks. Hope they tell me something beneficial.
Loreli I will wait to see what the heart people have to say, if anything, thanks for the pointers.
Mom I am not really sure how to negotiate with the hospital that is why I got on board with a debt reduction company. What they have told me so far is pretty encouraging considering the amount of what the hospital has sent us.
S
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 7:43 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 13,027
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I would think you would have a case for a retro-action. Youll have to ride it out with the stress and worry, yet they will have to adjust the paper work and wait out your paying. With my god daughter, they were able to rearrange the billing. Just a thought. Strength to you and yours.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 7:43 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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burnslikethesun
Posts: 13,027
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I would think you would have a case for a retro-action. Youll have to ride it out with the stress and worry, yet they will have to adjust the paper work and wait out your paying. With my god daughter, they were able to rearrange the billing. Just a thought. Strength to you and yours.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 7:45 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,625
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Mean while, give out hugs to her and prayers for her to get better ok?
Things will work out I am sure.
Ps. If it is possible, call or talk to a person at SS and tell them what has happened because they were too slow.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 8:17 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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cartay25
Posts: 446
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Seal go to the business office at the hospital and explain your situation. I know one of our local hospitals have a special program in place for people without insurance and they reduce the bill or even wipe it out depending on your income. They may have a similar program or will be willing to work out a payment plan you can afford. Good luck.
I wish her a speedy recovery and will keep you in my prayers. 
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 8:23 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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lj450
Posts: 9,550
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Worst case scenario......just make a "good faith" attempt at trying to pay it. Whether it be $50 or $100 a month......make a payment on it, every month.....whatever you can afford. Just show that you are trying.
They will eventually stop sending you a statement and write it off. It happens every day.
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| Apr 16, 2008 @ 9:08 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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signme
Posts: 12,578
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I agree with Mom and Car--check with the hospital business office. I was in rehab for a week when my insurance company decided I had gone to a rehab they would not pay for. I was getting so stressed out that when someone from the financial dept of the hospital rehab came to see me, they finally told me not to worry, I would not have to pay it. And I didn't have to. Of course the stress was interferring with the rehab too but still....check it out.
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| Apr 17, 2008 @ 1:55 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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sweet5red
Posts: 9,698
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i am with LJ on this one.. good faith payments and they cant do anything.. Sweet N Louisiana bless you both
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| Apr 17, 2008 @ 9:19 PM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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Jankia
Posts: 11,895
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Sorry to hear about your problem seal and I cant give you any advice other then to recommend you talking with her doctors and telling them of your problem so in the future they dont order anything done for her that isnt absolutley necessary.
Doctors will many times have expensive tests done to help them cover there tracks in avoiding malpractice problems.
You could also ask your church if they could help in raisng some money by having a bazaar,I know ours does that often.
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| Apr 18, 2008 @ 5:52 AM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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mystery2u888
Posts: 18,025
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Seal, I am with mom on this one.......most hospitals will sit you down and they can write it off...........because of the situation and the hardship.......definitely.......they of course will want to see your papers bank account what is incoming........and they are always willing to work it out........I have seen this happen on a couple of occassions......and the hospital wrote the whole thing off so contact them and tell them the situation ...... I hope she is better.......  xoxo
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| Apr 18, 2008 @ 8:43 AM |
Help with Hospital emergency |
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j_goose
Posts: 2,911
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Worst case scenario......just make a "good faith" attempt at trying to pay it. Whether it be $50 or $100 a month......make a payment on it, every month.....whatever you can afford. Just show that you are trying
Exactly what you should do while you wait for answers to everything else. As long as you show you are making an effort to pay, they will leave you alone.
When I started my business, I had no insurance, and took everything to the emergency room. (They cannot refuse treatment) and would throw them a few bucks every month to show them I wasn't ignoring the bill.
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| Apr 24, 2008 @ 3:01 AM |
Help with Hospital emergency
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mystery2u888
Posts: 18,025
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Seal......I hope some of this helps and that you can get most of this resolved.....been thinking about you and your wife.........
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