re: medical bills any ideas

[Anonymous]

Ok another question for the credit gurus.

I was recently in the hospital for 5 days about 6 months ago..I dont have insurance and was denied medicaid/medicare...the bill was like $30,000...what do I do...I havent paid anything and it hasnt posted to my credit report as of yet...but i know it will and then i will be royally screwed...so what preemptive measures should i use...and i dont have $30,000 to pay them nor do I have a job currently because I am a student still and live off of my parents and my student loans.

[ShanetheMortgageMan]

I'd make payment arrangements with the hospital before they turn it over to collections.  Will your parents help you out with paying on the payment arrangement?

[Anonymous]

Wow!!! hat to hear that. One of the major causes of BK in this country is unplanned medical expenses but our government wants to bail out the housing market...I digress,

Most hospitals offer a needs-based plan, often referred to as an indigent care program.  (Its not as bad as it seems).   Call and see if your hosptial offers such a plan or if they can direct you to an agency that can assist you.  In the worse case scenarios, most hospitals are very good about working out payment arrangements and collections stay in-house as long as you are paying SOMETHING twoards the bill.  Not saying 5.00/mo will do much for that bill but they are usually very flexible as it is generally in their best interest to collect the debt than to let it go bad.