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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u/CommercialConstant59 Feb 08 '25

I am considering bankruptcy it seems to be the only way I’ll get out of this debt

3

u/KidCancun007 Feb 09 '25

Before you go bankrupt, dont pay. Miss 30d, 60d, 90d, then call and request hardship forgivence.

I know many peoplr who wind up settling for pennies on the dollar bc the hospital knows some $ is better than none

1

u/Key_Pace_2496 Feb 09 '25

More like they know their prices are completely made up so they can bill inflated rates to insurance companies.

1

u/Logical_Pinetree Feb 10 '25

Agree I would not file for bankruptcy. If you can’t afford it don’t pay it. Wait until it goes to collections and then try to negotiate with the collections agency to reduce the total. Eventually after a few years they will have to write it off if not paid, and it will fall of your credit report in 5 years or so. Specially if it’s a non profit hospital I don’t think anyone will come after you.

1

u/SecretWeapon013 Feb 10 '25

My sister passed and I was executor. I told them I would pay them when I could sell her real estate. They gave me 60 days then turned them over to collections. So your hospital might have a policy about how long they are willing to hold unpaid debt.

2

u/triblogcarol Feb 08 '25

I believe you are thinking about student debt that can't be wiped from bankruptcy

2

u/Safe_Froyo_411 Feb 11 '25

Not everyone will understand anything about your situation so do what YOU need to do. Some alternatives have been laid out. Check into what you can and make up your mind. Nobody in here knows your total situation. You pay the price so you make the decision.

1

u/ThisAdvertising8976 Feb 10 '25

Make sure you wait a little just to ensure all the bills have been sent. I’ve heard of people filing bk only to have another bill show up.

1

u/accidental_reader Feb 10 '25

Do not do this!!! Medical debt cannot impact your credit!! CFPB Finalizes Rule to Remove Medical Bills from Credit Reports

-5

u/Quiet_Compote9761 Feb 08 '25

Not sure Medical Debt is relieved from bankruptcy.

7

u/Mysterious-Art8838 Feb 08 '25

Yep! You can. It’s the most common reason for bk in the US. You might be thinking of student loans?

2

u/CIAMom420 Feb 08 '25

You are completely wrong. People wipe out medical debt through bankruptcy every hour of every day.

1

u/vestigialfree Feb 09 '25

I’ve seen them reported on credit reports with a notation as medical bankruptcy, don’t know if that’s a note or we have a specific type of bankruptcy just for medical bills in the US.