r/HospitalBills • u/CommercialConstant59 • Feb 08 '25

Hospital-Emergency How should I approach this major hospital bill ($253,000)

I got in a dirt bike accident resulting in 2 fractured vertebrae’s,a broke arm a slit wrist and a broken orbital socket. I was in the hospital 6 days I did not ride the ambulance as I was found bleeding out on my bed. (University medical center in Lubbock did the repairs) With that being said I got a call stating I need to set up automated payments for the bill. I told them I would contact them back and just not sure how to approach the situation. I will never pay off the debt I’m only 21 and make $19 an hour($35000 a year). I tried applying for the financial aid but could do to my income being $300 over the monthly limit I rent a house payments right around $500 a month utilities tend to come out to right around $350 I wouldn’t by any means say I’m doing well financially I’m scraping by between groceries and gas I don’t tend to have a lot of money left on the table. I’m just lost and need a bit of advice Thank you for any provided.

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3

u/yeldudseniah Feb 08 '25

What can you afford? Send them that until they accept it.

3

u/CommercialConstant59 Feb 08 '25

They won’t allow me to make any payments less than 150 as well as they are very pushy toward setting up there payment plans

8

u/ProfessionSea7908 Feb 08 '25

You tell them you simply cannot afford that. I had a similar thing happen with a bill that I owed to the hospital. I paid them $25 a month for two years and then they called me and they offered me a settlement to close the account at half the original price. I realize that doesn’t do much for you

What state are you in? Many states allow you to retroactively apply for Medicaid.

4

u/CommercialConstant59 Feb 08 '25

I live in Texas, the hospital was Lubbock umc I need to apply for Medicaid and see how that goes

8

u/Mysterious-Art8838 Feb 08 '25

You need to do that RIGHT AWAY. I believe the look back is only 3 months.

7

u/Psychotic_Dove Feb 08 '25

good luck!! TX hates giving adults any type of free healthcare.

2

u/AileySue Feb 09 '25

Able bodied adults without dependents don’t usually qualify for Medicaid in Texas 😬 they didn’t take the ACA expansion.

1

u/Starbuck522 Feb 09 '25

Plus, he makes enough for AcA subsidies.

1

u/AileySue Feb 09 '25

Yes, so unfortunately the Texas government isn’t going to be helpful here at all.

5

u/ProfessionSea7908 Feb 08 '25

Yes, you can apply for retroactive Medicaid in Texas for up to three months before the month of application. This is called prior coverage. Eligibility You must have unpaid or reimbursable Medicaid-covered medical bills You must have met all other eligibility criteria during the time the service was provided You or a household member would have been eligible for Medicaid in the prior month Application You must file an application for retroactive eligibility with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) You must complete Form H1113, Application for Prior Medicaid Coverage You must provide proof that the medical services were provided and the bills are unpaid Retroactive Medicaid Retroactive Medicaid is meant to help people who have an unexpected illness or injury It can provide a way to pay for medical bills that occurred before the application

1

u/liloto3 Feb 09 '25

Well, Medicaid is in a bit of a pickle due to FOTUS.

1

u/Starbuck522 Feb 09 '25

You make too much for medicaid. Which is a good thing because Texas doesn't have medicaid for able bodied non pregnant people anyway.

1

u/Far_Land7215 Feb 10 '25

Yeah you need to have health insurance in America especially if you are doing dumb ass shit like dirt biking.

1

u/Aspen9999 Feb 10 '25

Start paying something, $25 a month, I don’t care if they want $150 or more. Then look into Medicaid or charities that pay off medical bills.

1

u/Jolly_Activity_6640 Feb 09 '25

Similar situation, my MIL had a surgical complication and ended up with a HUUUUGEE hospital bill (even with insurance... she was in there for a long time!) She worked out a monthly payment with the hospital, and after a few years they called her and offered to write off the rest (something like $25K still) if she would pay like $1000 on the next payment. They don't want to carry it forever.

1

u/Spirited_Radio9804 Feb 09 '25

They will do 1/2 at check out with no insurance!

1

u/Environmental-Top-60 Feb 09 '25

Reapply in March. The federal poverty limit updates then and therefore their tables should. That might help fix that problem.

They can definitely discount that bill. Tell them that you’re uninsured.

1

u/figlozzi Feb 09 '25

They will lower that. You just need to speak to the right people. I assume you didn’t have health insurance?

1

u/CommercialConstant59 Feb 09 '25

I did not have health insurance. I’m trying to request an itemized bill to see what and how I could lower the cost. Was thinking of just letting it float and see if they sue but there’s no way I could take wage garnishment so I’m just at a loss ready to call it quits

2

u/Wicked-elixir Feb 09 '25

Don’t let them take you to court!!! You will then have a literal court order for you to pay.

1

u/figlozzi Feb 09 '25

You aren’t on your parents insurance?

1

u/CommercialConstant59 Feb 09 '25

No sir my parent struggled with addiction my dad is barley getting on his feet again and my mother is in a state rehab

2

u/figlozzi Feb 09 '25

You need to get insurance as soon as you can. It’s subsidized. That won’t help you now but it will if anything happens. You can probably wipe most of it out in bankruptcy and the hospital knows that. Given your income they know you can’t pay it. There are multiple programs that can help you at the hospital. Hospitals jack up the rates and then usually drop them a lot like 80-90%. It’s a bit scammy. Talk to them more or look for a local non profit that will help you interface with the hospital people. In worst case yes think about bankruptcy and also as soon as you can you should get insurance even if it’s a cheap high deductible plan just for cases like this.

1

u/CommercialConstant59 Feb 09 '25

Yeah I plan on getting insurance I’ve talked to an insurance provider and they are getting quotes put together for me. I plan on calling the hospital Monday and see what I can be approved for help wise as well as a itemized bill to

1

u/figlozzi Feb 09 '25

Aca plans would get you a subsidy but I don’t know if it’s too late for this year

Go to healthcare.gov

1

u/figlozzi Feb 10 '25

Push back on this bill. They should discount that to an affordable price. That bill is discussing.

1

u/mcmurrml Feb 10 '25

Go get a bankruptcy lawyer. You will never be able to pay a bill of that magnitude and you don't want this hanging over your head the rest of your life.

1

u/trinlayk Feb 10 '25

Is this via the billing office or have you talked to the hospital social worker?

I’ve sometimes been amazed at what the hospital social workers have managed to get for people.

1

u/CompetitionNearby108 Feb 10 '25

You're 19. Do a chapter 11 bankruptcy. Your credit will start to recover as soon as your debt is discharged.

1

u/ZoeyMoon Feb 10 '25

I’d also say get it in writing if you can, that will show a willingness to pay on your end and an unwillingness to accept on their end.

1

u/alden530 Feb 12 '25

$150 a month is roughly $35 per week. Instead of whining about how they want to be reimbursed for saving your life why don’t you think about how lucky you are instead and repay them by going to get a part-time job to settle your debt?

1

u/CommercialConstant59 Feb 12 '25

Well as much as I don’t mind simply paying $150 there are 2 separate billings one from Texas tech physicians and one from umc Which would be about $400 if I’m lucky and umc lets me payout 150-200 as well. I am looking for another job to work on the side cause I am barely scraping by as is. But I would like you to think about what you just said that is around 1,686 payments so that’s an estimate of 34 years making that $150 payment as well including what umc lets me get by with.

1

u/Buyhighsel1low Feb 10 '25

I have a question because I’ve been curious. Can you just choose not to? Let’s say I have 250k in a brokerage, could they garnish from an investment fund or a 401k?

1

u/yeldudseniah Feb 12 '25

It depends on where you live.