Serious trouble - medical bills
Dec 29th 2009, 1:14 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,966
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
Get an itemized bill and go over it with a fine tooth comb before you pay anything.
Dec 29th 2009, 1:24 pm
#17
Vegas Baby
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Liverpool>Fl>Tx>Ca>Nv
Posts: 567
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
My son was in for overnight observation and tests after motorcycle accident cost $13000. I had a minor operation on my leg 2 nights stay $20000 . Both incidents covered by insurance luckily.
Dec 29th 2009, 1:25 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
ICU, a few days?
I hate to say it, but this is going to be huge. Seriously, we're talking six figures here. $100,000 easily. Here is a post by someone with 3 days in an ICU and it was $460,000
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=icu
You won't be paying this off on installments more than likely. If he is on a low or no-income, he might (unlikely) qualify for some medical assistance (Medicaid) but there are probably all sorts of residency requirements on that.
My advice would be to seek some professional legal assistance once this is sorted.
(and yes, huge bills are common in the US for those without insurance, and many of them simply declare bankruptcy and force those with insurance to pick up the tab with added costs for their procedures, premiums, etc. This, as you can probably gather, leads to some rather hard feelings on those left with the bill).
I hate to say it, but this is going to be huge. Seriously, we're talking six figures here. $100,000 easily. Here is a post by someone with 3 days in an ICU and it was $460,000
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=icu
You won't be paying this off on installments more than likely. If he is on a low or no-income, he might (unlikely) qualify for some medical assistance (Medicaid) but there are probably all sorts of residency requirements on that.
My advice would be to seek some professional legal assistance once this is sorted.
(and yes, huge bills are common in the US for those without insurance, and many of them simply declare bankruptcy and force those with insurance to pick up the tab with added costs for their procedures, premiums, etc. This, as you can probably gather, leads to some rather hard feelings on those left with the bill).
Dec 29th 2009, 2:12 pm
#19
I love Marmite, she don't
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 454
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
Some one has to say it but you travelled without Insurance, the most important part of coming to the USA and you both knew the score. If it wasn't the arm, it could have been something else, much worse. To say you thought the other had done it doesn't wash. Who had the tickets? Everyone I know checks the tickets and Insurance docs (which most carry). Did you really forget, or did you just hope!
OK, that's the blunt part out of the way. Yes, you'll likely get away with paying cents on the dollar but you need to let the hospital know you DON"T have INSURANCE so they stop sending 5 Doctors to do nothing. Believe me, when they know you don't have Insurance (why don't they know already?), he will get enough treatment to get him home - and get him HOME as soon as he is fit you should.
OK, that's the blunt part out of the way. Yes, you'll likely get away with paying cents on the dollar but you need to let the hospital know you DON"T have INSURANCE so they stop sending 5 Doctors to do nothing. Believe me, when they know you don't have Insurance (why don't they know already?), he will get enough treatment to get him home - and get him HOME as soon as he is fit you should.
Dec 29th 2009, 2:19 pm
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
ICU, a few days?
I hate to say it, but this is going to be huge. Seriously, we're talking six figures here. $100,000 easily. Here is a post by someone with 3 days in an ICU and it was $460,000
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=icu
You won't be paying this off on installments more than likely. If he is on a low or no-income, he might (unlikely) qualify for some medical assistance (Medicaid) but there are probably all sorts of residency requirements on that.
My advice would be to seek some professional legal assistance once this is sorted.
(and yes, huge bills are common in the US for those without insurance, and many of them simply declare bankruptcy and force those with insurance to pick up the tab with added costs for their procedures, premiums, etc. This, as you can probably gather, leads to some rather hard feelings on those left with the bill).
I hate to say it, but this is going to be huge. Seriously, we're talking six figures here. $100,000 easily. Here is a post by someone with 3 days in an ICU and it was $460,000
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=icu
You won't be paying this off on installments more than likely. If he is on a low or no-income, he might (unlikely) qualify for some medical assistance (Medicaid) but there are probably all sorts of residency requirements on that.
My advice would be to seek some professional legal assistance once this is sorted.
(and yes, huge bills are common in the US for those without insurance, and many of them simply declare bankruptcy and force those with insurance to pick up the tab with added costs for their procedures, premiums, etc. This, as you can probably gather, leads to some rather hard feelings on those left with the bill).
Dec 29th 2009, 5:19 pm
#22
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
Dec 29th 2009, 6:50 pm
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Posts: 3,770
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
[QUOTE=Unlucky275;8202365]The hospital at home said he was ok to fly,/[QUOTE]
Have you contacted the UK Hospital to see what their opinion is on this?
Jim
Have you contacted the UK Hospital to see what their opinion is on this?
Jim
Dec 29th 2009, 7:18 pm
#24
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Joined: May 2006
Location: In the middle of two worlds
Posts: 501
Dec 29th 2009, 8:33 pm
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
Have you contacted the UK Hospital to see what their opinion is on this?
Jim
I find it tough to have much sympathy with the OP. Travel insurance is pretty cheap for people of their age, so there really is no financial reason not to get it. Plus, with a US citizen spouse, they should have been well aware of the financial morass that is health care access in the US. That said, trying to negotiate down or away the likely hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills they're going to get is probably the best way forward. As student(s) they may very well have limited income and assets, which equates to being in a stronger negotiating position:- the hospital will be aware that a bankruptcy will wipe away their claims giving them zero cents on the dollar. But if they have assets, particularly in the US, things are likely to get a lot trickier...
Dec 29th 2009, 9:03 pm
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Hinsdale, IL
Posts: 469
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
ICU, a few days?
I hate to say it, but this is going to be huge. Seriously, we're talking six figures here. $100,000 easily. Here is a post by someone with 3 days in an ICU and it was $460,000
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=icu
You won't be paying this off on installments more than likely. If he is on a low or no-income, he might (unlikely) qualify for some medical assistance (Medicaid) but there are probably all sorts of residency requirements on that.
My advice would be to seek some professional legal assistance once this is sorted.
(and yes, huge bills are common in the US for those without insurance, and many of them simply declare bankruptcy and force those with insurance to pick up the tab with added costs for their procedures, premiums, etc. This, as you can probably gather, leads to some rather hard feelings on those left with the bill).
I hate to say it, but this is going to be huge. Seriously, we're talking six figures here. $100,000 easily. Here is a post by someone with 3 days in an ICU and it was $460,000
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...&highlight=icu
You won't be paying this off on installments more than likely. If he is on a low or no-income, he might (unlikely) qualify for some medical assistance (Medicaid) but there are probably all sorts of residency requirements on that.
My advice would be to seek some professional legal assistance once this is sorted.
(and yes, huge bills are common in the US for those without insurance, and many of them simply declare bankruptcy and force those with insurance to pick up the tab with added costs for their procedures, premiums, etc. This, as you can probably gather, leads to some rather hard feelings on those left with the bill).
The hospital I practice in charges $6000/Hour for an ICU bed. If I were you I wouldn't offer to pay anything now, sign anything or talk with anyone from the hospital, for now.....
As a Ph.D. student his income , even converting it to Dollars would make him eligible for Medicaid. Google "Medicaid in the 'state you live'", and call the number. He could apply for it and in most states it will cover costs associated with the entire admission. As a US citizen he will be eligible for it. Alternatively, declare poverty, say he has no fixed abode in the US, which he doesn't, and the bill will be written off.
In the future buy a yearly policy......
Dec 29th 2009, 9:58 pm
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
T
As a Ph.D. student his income , even converting it to Dollars would make him eligible for Medicaid. Google "Medicaid in the 'state you live'", and call the number. He could apply for it and in most states it will cover costs associated with the entire admission. As a US citizen he will be eligible for it.
As a Ph.D. student his income , even converting it to Dollars would make him eligible for Medicaid. Google "Medicaid in the 'state you live'", and call the number. He could apply for it and in most states it will cover costs associated with the entire admission. As a US citizen he will be eligible for it.
Jan 5th 2010, 3:11 pm
#28
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Boston
Posts: 4
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
Might be a long shot, But you dont happen to have a Royal Bank of Scotland account do you? The Royalties account comes with travel insurance.
Check ALL your UK accounts and credit cards to see if any come with travel insurance (it will need to be worldwide to cover US/Canada medical)
Good luck
Check ALL your UK accounts and credit cards to see if any come with travel insurance (it will need to be worldwide to cover US/Canada medical)
Good luck
Jan 5th 2010, 9:49 pm
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: New Hampshire, USA
Posts: 22
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
Most hospitals do offer what they call a "Charitable Care Program". It is a sliding scale of sorts and asks you mainly questions based on income. I do not believe there is a residence requirement as this is provided by the hospital and not through a federal/state funds. It's worth looking into because many hospitals will not even mention it to you unless you ask. I also agree with the several suggestions to offer a small percentage as a last resort. The hospital would rather collect *some* of it rather than see the bill abandoned and receive $0 payment. I had some pretty heavy medical debt years back and settled at a ridiculously low cost.
My boyfriend in the UK was always purchasing travel insurance and come to find out, he had it automatically through his UK bank so definitely look into that!
Never neglect your travel insurance!
Good luck!
Jan 6th 2010, 12:41 pm
#30
With 'er indoors :-D
Joined: May 2003
Location: DE, USA
Posts: 162
Re: Serious trouble - medical bills
Since your husband is a student is there any way that he is covered on his parents' insurance? I'm sure that they must cover the majority of his living expenses while he studies in the UK making him a dependent of theirs and as such, being a full-time student, potentially eligible.