Finnick said:
@Ashton
What savings are you referring to?
Exactly. There are no savings here. I’m working as much as I can, but I can’t add more hours because of child care.
@Ashton
Haha, suggesting a second job and savings is ridiculous. This system is really messed up.
@Ashton
Right, people forget that healthcare operates like a business.
I relate. I plan to pay them $25 monthly, and if they have a problem with that, I’ll let it go to collections and negotiate down to half the original bill.
Finn said:
I relate. I plan to pay them $25 monthly, and if they have a problem with that, I’ll let it go to collections and negotiate down to half the original bill.
Going to collections doesn’t mean they will give you a discount on the bill. Collection agencies can refuse to lower costs, so be aware.
@Vail
[deleted]
Merritt said:
@Vail
[deleted]
Your credit score is at risk.
Merritt said:
@Vail
[deleted]
Your credit score is at risk.
That’s not my intention—I want to pay the least amount possible.
Hayes said:
Merritt said:
@Vail
[deleted]
Your credit score is at risk.
That’s not my intention—I want to pay the least amount possible.
They might take you to court for payment and get a judgment against you. They could also refuse future non-emergency care.
@Luca
Yeah, especially with how few children’s hospitals are around, losing access to one could really hurt, depending on where you live.
Hayes said:
Merritt said:
@Vail
[deleted]
Your credit score is at risk.
That’s not my intention—I want to pay the least amount possible.
Chances are high that your debt goes to collections, and they will expect you to pay the full amount, no matter your negotiation.
Finn said:
I relate. I plan to pay them $25 monthly, and if they have a problem with that, I’ll let it go to collections and negotiate down to half the original bill.
Don’t think that negotiating down is the only option for collections.
@Paxton
[deleted]
@Dacey
That law is currently tied up in a federal court. The next hearing is in May, with a freeze lasting until June 2025, so it wouldn’t pay to rely on it.
I had two surgeries this year. I paid for the first one and then got another bill 14 months later saying I owed more money. They told me to pay $500 a month. I said I’d give them $200 a month instead. If they took that long to bill me, I can take a while to pay them off. They informed me that my account would go into collections after four months, and I said to go ahead. I started mailing checks after initial online payments, but they just pushed it to collections. I’m still getting notices claiming I owe more money, even after verifying payments.
Why not consider a personal line of credit to pay in full and see how much of a discount they might give you? Then you can manage payments on that credit line.
Van said:
Why not consider a personal line of credit to pay in full and see how much of a discount they might give you? Then you can manage payments on that credit line.
Looks like the hospital is giving a low-interest loan for four years. Tough to find a better deal than that.