Do I use the EF for hospital bills?

**SheriH** · 12-29-2006, 07:55 AM

My daughter has had 2 emergency room visits this fall, and I was wondering if I should use my EF to help pay these bills. I have 300 dollars in it. What would you do?

Thanks,
Sheri

**Sari** · 12-29-2006, 10:40 AM

I think I would save the emergency fund for something that you can't make payments on, such as your cat needs emergency surgery and the vet doesn't take payments, or your transmission blows and you have to pay before you get your car back, or a plumbing bill. The hospital will let you make monthly payments.

**AmyBoz** · 12-29-2006, 11:21 AM

If you are going to have to go into debt to pay the hospital bills, then, yes, I'd use the EF. Rather not have debt with interest to pay if you can get rid of them right now.

**Michelle** · 12-29-2006, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by AmyBoz

If you are going to have to go into debt to pay the hospital bills, then, yes, I'd use the EF. Rather not have debt with interest to pay if you can get rid of them right now.

I agree. I see an emergency room visit as a perfect example of what an emergency fund should be used for.

**Telephus44** · 12-29-2006, 11:58 AM

I agree with Sari about saving it for emergencies that have to be paid for now. Hospitals are great about working out payment plans (with no interest) or settling for less than what they're asking for. I'd call the hospital and see what I could arrange.

**suzysaver** · 12-29-2006, 12:41 PM

I would try to work out payments with the hospital and hold on to that EF too.

**jkelstaten** · 12-29-2006, 01:28 PM

I also vote for holding onto the EF for another purpose. Hospitals will work out a payment plan with you and it will not go bad on your credit unless you mess up the payment plan. My father and step-mom have a lot of experience with this....... As long as you are making some sort of payment you will be okay.

Consider the "what if"....what if you NEED that EF the day after you pay the emergency room bill, then you would *have* to go into debt because you had nothing to draw on......

We've done that before and it's not cool

**bumplett** · 12-29-2006, 01:31 PM

I also agree with holding onto the EF and calling the hospital to work out a payment plan - even if you can only pay them $10/month, they will have to accept it - a medical emergency is not something that you planned for and it will not affect your credit score in a negative way - good luck!

**Darlene** · 12-29-2006, 01:56 PM

If I were owed money I'd like to be paid in full in a timely manor, wouldn't you? I'm not being mean or baiting. That said I know it's nice to have money for emergencies and pay off interest bearing debts asap. I hope you can find a way to pay them, save some money & have the peace of mind of an ef. Good luck!

**banana** · 12-29-2006, 02:24 PM

I would hold onto to the money also. If you call the hospital they will work out a payment plan with you and shouldnt charge you any interest.

**dmvezina** · 12-29-2006, 02:57 PM

If I could set up an acceptable payment arrangement that won't break me, I would do that instead and save the EF for something that can't wait.

**PrairieRose** · 12-29-2006, 08:16 PM

I would think there isn't anymore of an emergency than a trip to the ER. Wouldn't you agree? And if you can pay it in full, call and ask the billing dept. that if you pay it today how much would they be willing to discount it? They will usually do almost 40%.