can't rent due to bad credit...

As far as renting an apartment, try a two family house most of those landlords do not run a credit check.

Evaluate all the insurance, Medicaid, and any charity options available to you. It is really worth investigating the possible alternatives when surrounded by high medical bills. Ask the medical billing office about your options. They may figure out some type of financing or insurance choices suitable for you.

Review the bills very closely. There are possibilities of double billing and errors on the health care invoices and you will need to get them fixed at the earliest and bring the total debt down. When you challenge the bill for errors, be sure that the medical office is not selling your debts to collections while they are in dispute.

If you have any credit card with low apr, consider paying it through that account instead of opening a new account through the hospital. If possible, choose a credit card with a long 0% introductory rate and a low APR after that period expires

Don't forget to pay your other important bills like mortgage or car payments before you start paying the medical bills. Don't use a home equity loan to pay expensive medical bills. Your home will come under risk if you are unable to pay sometime later.

There are few people out there who base it on credit worthiness but some do base it on recent history with other rent companies. You are going to have to search for it.