Medical Bill-Collection Agency

[JJun]

What is the name of your state? GA & MI

The hospital located in MI and I currently live in GA. My insurance company does not cover much of my medical bill and I have no income. The bill is HUGE...I have received a final notice from the hospital. They warn me to pay the bill immediately otherwise, they will go through the collection agency. (it looks like they will NOT use the third party collection agency.) If I cannot pay the bill, what's going to happen? The only asset I have is my car. Can they take it from me? I have a student visa now. Can they report it to the immigration and prevent me from getting a U.S. visa in the future? Is there any way I can get a help from the Medicaid? Please help me. Thank you so much.

[Ladynred]

If I cannot pay the bill, what's going to happen? The only asset I have is my car. Can they take it from me?

They will probably sue you, after have a 3rd party collection agency harrass you for a while first. They MAY be able to take your car, it depends on how much its worth (equity) and how much your hospital bill is.

I have a student visa now. Can they report it to the immigration and prevent me from getting a U.S. visa in the future?

Probably not. But if you're going to come here a dump out on debts, maybe you should be prevented from being allowed to stay.

Is there any way I can get a help from the Medicaid?

You are NOT a US citizen, therefore you are NOT entitled to US charity benefits such as Medicaid.

You need to contact the hospital IMMEDIATELY and talk to someone about getting some financial help. If you IGNORE them, it will be worse, but if you work with them, they MAY be able to either get you some help, forgive part of your bill, and/or make SOME arrangements to pay the bill.

[ablessin]

Contact the hospital, many facilites have programs for self pay and under-insured patients.

Ignoring the bill will not make it go away - call them, you'll find the staff is probably willing to work with you on either a monthly payment amount and/or a discount....

I'd call right away - the longet you "sit on it" the less they're going to be willing to work with you..... we deal with this all of the time in my office, and we are more likely to help the person who calls sooner - because it shows they care enough about the bill to try to make payments - -also. DO NOT agree to pay more than you intend on mailing in each month.

And no, if you're not a US citizen Medicaid isn't an option. Become a citizen