Hospital bill

[scottygyrl 1]

Hello! When I came home from Mexico after my surgery eariler this year I got sick and had to go to the ER. I am getting the bills now and I owe almost $800 (it's sad, nothing was even wrong with me), my mom is telling me if I go offer to pay it all up front then sometimes they will take up to half off. Has anyone tried this before? Just wondering before I go in there and ask. Thanks

[j.s. 0]

Cant hurt to ask - worst they can do is say no.

[the best me 6]

YES! The lady from the hospital called about a $1200 bill I owed after the birth of my son. There was no way I was coughing up all of that at once. I also had some smaller lab bills and other things to pay, so I requested to be put on a payment plan, which is also a good option. They HAVE to take your money, even if it's just $20 a month. As long as you pay what you promise every month, they'll take it and can't turn you over to Collections. Anyhow, after I requested the payments, she offered to cut the bill in half if I paid the balance within 2 weeks. So, 1200 bucks of debt turn into 600 I had to drum up within 2 weeks. I took it and ran, got the $$ somehow and paid up.

If I were you, I'd make the call and request a payment plan, see what they say, and simply ask if they don't offer. Say, "you know, I could pay this entire bill next week if it were only $400" Make them an offer. If the bill is past due enough, I'll bet they work with you. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

[Marimaru 7]

YES! Call them and ask what you need to pay if you can pay it all right now. I had about $4000 in bills from an emergency abcess draining, (a little surgery and an overnight stay). I called up and it was cut to about $1500.

[NJChick 3]

As long as your attempting to pay, they can not send you to a collection agency (if I'm not mistaken). I don't know if they will take 1/2 off the bill but you can arrange a payment plan like Kathy said.

Good Luck !!!

[scottygyrl 1]

I called this billing dept. this morning and she said they don't have a payment plan, but if I pay in the next 10 days I can get a big 20% off!! So I asked her what if I just make payments and she said if it's not paid in full in 90 days it will be taken to collections. I don't know if this is true. I've heard as long as I pay something I can't be taken to collections. Thanks for your replys

[Parvathi 2]

I called this billing dept. this morning and she said they don't have a payment plan, but if I pay in the next 10 days I can get a big 20% off!! So I asked her what if I just make payments and she said if it's not paid in full in 90 days it will be taken to collections. I don't know if this is true. I've heard as long as I pay something I can't be taken to collections. Thanks for your replys

My grandmother has owed $10,000 to the hospital for years now. She pays $5.00/month and they're unable to send it to collection department...

[Lynn B 0]

Do they offer free care? If they take any state or federal money they must offer free care to people who meet a certian income limit (sometimes these limits are a lot higher than you would expect).

Good luck,