Upcoming medical bill of spouse and who is ultimately responsible?

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

I am a resident of New York State. My mother's husband had triple by-pass surgery two weeks ago and is still in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit today, November 24, 2004. He is 85 years old and has only Medicare coverage. He was denied Medicaid because his pension and social security benefits were above the required limit.

My mother is concerned that when he is eventually released from the hospital, they will have a HUGE medical bill to pay that they cannot afford on both their incomes. They are both retired and she is on hemodialysis three times per week.

Questions: Can the hospital place a lien on their house for payment even if they pay whatever they can when the bill finally arrives? What can she do to avoid the hospital placing a lien on their house?

Anticipating your prompt and substantive response. Thank you.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by carol new york

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

I am a resident of New York State. My mother's husband had triple by-pass surgery two weeks ago and is still in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit today, November 24, 2004. He is 85 years old and has only Medicare coverage. He was denied Medicaid because his pension and social security benefits were above the required limit.

My mother is concerned that when he is eventually released from the hospital, they will have a HUGE medical bill to pay that they cannot afford on both their incomes. They are both retired and she is on hemodialysis three times per week.

Questions: Can the hospital place a lien on their house for payment even if they pay whatever they can when the bill finally arrives? What can she do to avoid the hospital placing a lien on their house?

Anticipating your prompt and substantive response. Thank you.

**A: the answer to your question is yes, although the hospital must take several steps such as take the patient and authorized bill payer to court and get an adjudicated judgement. The judgement can then be filed as a lien on the real property and foreclosed upon.