[itlw8]

do hospitals take payments ?

I am having a major surgery in May last time 100% of the hospital bill was paid. Well Ins has changed and now only 90% is covered.... but our monthly rate did not go up...

Thank goodness it seems there is a 1500 limit plus a deductible so I will not owe 10% anyway do they usually set up payments or want payment in full??

 

[Pianolady]

My son had surgery last year, and they set up payment plans with no interest for 6 months. I'd call and ask.

 

[quiltingmommy]

they do take payments. just call and set something up with them. I currently owe over 1000 and I'm paying at least 50/month.

 

[Luv2BeFrugal]

They do up here...call and ask to set one up...

 

[never2late]

They do take payments over time. Most hospitals will also have a general idea of the cost of what your bill will be, being it is scheduled surgery, or at least an average to go by. I would call ahead if you can to check it out so you don't need to deal with it while you're recuperating.

 

[jmd5294]

They definitely take payments, and they will take as little as $25/month. When I was 19 I had a hospital bill b/c I was uninsured and I paid it off $25/month at a time!

 

[Dancing Lotus]

I am glad to hear that some of you were able to get a decent payment plan for your hospital. Mine wanted it in NO MORE THEN THREE payments. HUm.. we owed over 25,000 how the heck was I suppose to pay that in three months?

 

[FrugalMomof3]

Wow Ann that's absurd. I know that most hospitals will take payments plans, in PA they dont care how much it is, as long as you pay I do think the min. is $5 though per month.

 

[Tnmom]

Sept of 07, DD had surgery..I paid $60.00 a month until this past Dec.
Feb of 08, DS had surgery..I am currently paying 54.00 a month until it is paid in full...

When DS had surgery, I forgot to send in DD's payment..so they got a little snippy and threatened to turn it over because I missed a payment..but as soon as I realized what happened I called to explain that he had to have emergency surgery and I just forgot about the bills..they were understanding//

 

[phoeny_moonstar]

As far as I know here they take payments. They would rather receive *some* money from you than none at all. HTH

 

[misscas]

I always had the money to pay the bill in full until recently. I was hospitalized at the state mental hospital. I called and talked to patient accounts and payments were not a problem. They didn't even charge interest. All my other doctor bills are paid in installments. I don't even call to set it up. I can't afford anything else. I do know that some places want a full payment and tell you that when you place the appointment. They can send it to collections, take legal action, freeze bank accounts and garnish you. All you can do is ask and explain your situation. Some nonprofit hospitals have a social worker help you will out paperwork so some of your bills can be written off it you are unable to pay.

 

[craftypam]

do hospitals take payments ?

I am having a major surgery in May last time 100% of the hospital bill was paid. Well Ins has changed and now only 90% is covered.... but our monthly rate did not go up...

Thank goodness it seems there is a 1500 limit plus a deductible so I will not owe 10% anyway do they usually set up payments or want payment in full??

They do let you make payments. Make sure you call to set something up.

 

[Sassyclass]

They do if they want paid and unless the laws have changed as long as you pay them something each month there isn't anything they can do.

Cat

 

[Pianolady]

I am glad to hear that some of you were able to get a decent payment plan for your hospital. Mine wanted it in NO MORE THEN THREE payments. HUm.. we owed over 25,000 how the heck was I suppose to pay that in three months?

That's what they said to me too at first, claiming that was all they were authorized to do. I replied that I could not do that, so they asked what I could do, and I told them I could split it up over 9 months (which was exaggeration), so they could do 6 months all of the sudden....uh huh. I felt like I was dealing with a used car salesman. Maybe you could tell them I can afford XXX dollars per month, and see what they come up with. ???

 

[quiltingmommy]

when I called to set mine up, I explained that DH was laid off and I could not afford to pay the full amount. I told them that I would pay at least 75/month and they are the ones that suggested a minimum of 50/month. Also, they dont charge interest. I tried to get them to reduce the amount owed, but since I have insurance, they couldn't bring the amount down any lower. so, I guess I'll be paying the bill for the remainder of the year. uke:

 

[Palooka]

Some here do and some don't. A couple years ago I made my first payment to them and they threatend to turn me into collections if not paid in full. :lame:

 

[Michelle]

Definitely call and ask to set something up. As others have said, they'd rather get something than nothing, and calling ahead of time shows them that you're willing to make good on your debt. If you can't afford what they suggest, tell them what you *can* afford. Or you could even tell them upfront what you can do.

Good luck with setting this up as well as your surgery. I hope you make a speedy recovery. :hugz:

 

[laserlipo]

hello.....................all
It is about time that the nonprofit hospitals live up to the IRS Code and pay their share of covering the care for the poor, uninsured and working poor who do not and can not afford the U.S. health care sustems costs!..............................

 

[frugalwarrior]

YES. They are a lot nicer about it if you set up a payment plan. Just ask for the accounting dept. You can settle on how much you can afford. you can always pay xtra too if you want. Bear in mind that DR. bills through the hosp. will be seperate so make sure you keep this in mind when you agree on a payment amt. I know this because my husband had 9 surgeries at once 4 years ago. They will work w/ you. After a long while if you can't pay and the ins. left you with a lot they may settle w/ you if you pay in full.