People assume if you are uninsured and go to emergency that the hospital just writes your bill off. How many people out there have had their wages garnished if they could not pay their bill?
2009-07-05T20:14:44Z
Countryfirst. I'm not saying they do or they should. I'm just responding to what a health care provider said to me earlier on Y/A. He said that hospitals just write off charges, when people are uninsured.
2009-07-05T20:17:21Z
Meat guy. I agree, people use the ER for things they could easily treat at home. It is ridiculous.
justm3992009-07-05T19:30:42Z
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The other problem with using the ER as a sole source of medical care is that it is actually a lot more expensive than if they could just have regular medical care on a non-emergency basis. We waste more money on health care in this country than anywhere else.
And we all pay for it, either thru higher insurance rates or, if you pay cash for your hospital visits the prices are jacked up to cover the losses.
Additionally, people only get emergency care, and if they have some kind of a long term health problem (like cancer or diabetes) they can't always afford to be treated.
Without a complete revamping of our current medical system, the only thing I can tell you on your question, is that maybe the doctors at your ER could use a little more tact in how they ask their questions. Yes its true that a large percentage of us do not have medical insurance because we can't afford it, due to the fact of the price of if. But the price of it is greatly increased because of the number of people that do not even attempt to repay their 'free' medical, and due to the vast number of erronious medical malpractice lawsuites filed each year (because someone wants to get rich). Until, we can find a system that will include everyone, and not be soley supported by the goverment, the system that we have in place, though not the best, does help a great number of people that do need the care. hope this helps you out -- have a good day -- :) - Zenas
I work for a place that lets people apply for credit...the most common reason that people get turned down for credit (that I have seen) is an unpaid medical bill. People tell me that they are not responsible for the bill, or that they have forgotten about it. Hospitals/Emergency rooms will not forget. From what I have seen, most will work with people, but they will NEVER just write off a bill!!!
You will be billed, and garnished if you have a job. Make arrangements for $25 monthly before they sue if you are ever in this situation. Illegals simply get a different SS card and start over.
They will bill you at an outrageous rate. You will have to negotiate it down. Don't take no for an answer. They will bill you at 5x to 10x the rate that they would ever get from an insurance company or medicare for the same work.