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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:48 pm Subject: Dr Bill

I just received a Dr bill from when I went to the ER and had 3 stitches put in my leg. I have been paying the hospital 25 a month whenever I get a statement I add a check for 25.00 and mail it back.I know it isn't much but it was over 500 and I don't have insurance. Well 3 months later i get another bill from the Dr. for over 800.00!! I almost fainted! He spent maybe 10 mins tops on my leg.Dr's sure do earn a lot.Anyway I am wondering do i call them and make arrangements or try to or just do like I did the hospital and mail them a 25 dollar check too. It will take a long time to pay them off but we are a 1 income family with no insurance.Another 25 payment will already put a strain on our budget as it is.Anyway if I am trying to pay no matter how small can they still turn it over to collection? I don't want this on my credit report and I have not paid.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:57 pm Subject:

I would say that even if you pay them what you can afford, they will not send you to collections. I have had to do this several times also and the dr's office usually takes what you can pay.

If $25 puts a strain on your budget, I would only pay what you can. It is important to be able to put food on the table, heat your house, and keep your house.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:14 pm Subject:

Yes, I agree. Has anyone heard of a program at a hospital where you send this place 50 dollars and they send you a credit card for use only at that hospital.I think its called Map.They take a percentage off your bill to make up for the 50 dollars and hign interest rate you will have to pay to use it. But it is a way to pay your bill at like 10 dollars a month and not be turned in to collections.My sister paid off several hospital bills by paying a little every month also.Sometimes if you have no insurance thats all you can do but at least you are making an honest effort to pay.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:13 pm Subject:

I also forgot to mention. sometimes if you contact the hospital/doctor's office and explain to them that you do not have insurance and your inablility to pay, you might be able to get some type of discount. They may work with you. I know it can be hard to call them up and explain to them your situation, but it might be worth it if you can get some sort of discount. It never hurts to try.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:29 pm Subject:

Patricia...

Go to the hospitals financial aid office and sign up for what is called "Free Care!" It is a pool of money the government gives all hospitals for that purpose.

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:38 pm Subject:

Exactly--and depending on the hospital's profit/not-for-profit status, there might be even more programs that are available. All you have to do is ask. And the most you will have to do is provide income documentation.

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:57 am Subject:

This is a county hospital.When I went in as an emergency they gave me loads of papers to fill out.Can you imagine ,there I am sitting in a wheelchair holding a towel on my leg with blood soaked hands and they want me to fill out paper work. Well I did the best i could and latyer they said they gave me a paper that for something to pay the bill for the hospital if I brought in my Income tax papers before 10 days were up. Of course by the time they mentioned that the 10 days were up. They then told me about the map program but my hubby was against it.But anyway this is the Dr. bill not the hospital bill they are seperate.I guess I can call the No. on ther bill and see if they will accept small payments. I don't want to commit to an amount I can't pay as then it would lead to collections.

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:01 am Subject:

Sorry to hear about that. I guess paperwork is a common headache among all hospitals... Evil or Very Mad

And yes, the doctor's bill is separate--and if they did X-rays, you will probably get a bill from the radiologist as well. I would certainly pursue all avenues with the hospital, as medical bills can dog you forever, otherwise.

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:03 pm Subject:

To beat it all I have not sahown this bill to my hubby.He would hit the roof! But I don't work except when I help him with his job. So I am hoping I can take care of this by paying a small amount at a time that he won't miss!I know it sounds terrible but he would have had me dip my wound in kerosen and go on about my business.He cut the end off his finger and went o the hospital only because my son insisted that he drive him there and told the dr that there was nothing that they could do ,but dress it and they agreed and it cost a bundle just for thatr.he finally just got thet paid off.I know it sounds rediculous but I sure wishj dr's had a fee for people with insurance and one for people who had none...lol

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