I finally figured out I owe $2,500 for my 20% of medical care.

[napi21]

I got a call from one of the facilities asking if I wanted to work out a payment plan for this bill. Now the one that called is $1,500 of the total, and I haven't heard from the rest of them yet. I have two choices. I can take $2,500 out of my retirement account and just pay it, but my husband is 64 and I'm 63, and we only have $152,000 in retirement in total. Does anyone knowwhat they usually look for in paying these bills off? I mean 3 months,6 months, or so much per month? Do they charge interest?

I've managed to save enough to pay y real estate taxes this month, but they were actually due on Dec. 1st and I haven't paid them yet. The late penalty is very low though. Last year, I paid them 2 weeks late and the penalty was $1.13. I can deal with that.

Any insight here would be greatly appreciated.

I'm always very healthy and never go to a Dr. Unfortunately, I broke y leg back in Sept, and the ins. has finally done all their settlements. I guess I wasn't expecting this high a bill!

[salib]

1. No one seems to have any ideas

Your post is sinking and no one has anything to offer.

Unfortunately, neither do I. We cannot do enough individually, and Government is unable to do more unless we manage to get sufficiently Democratic leadership and governance in place.

Until then, I do not know what to suggest. Some states have limitations on the amount of time that can pass before you receive a bill on your medical care. It is possible that they waited too long. I do not know.

[SharonAnn]

2. Anyone who thinks Health Savings Accounts are the answer, should read your post.

They have no idea how much money even the deductible is if you have an injury or a disease that requires significant care.

Tens of thousands of dollars a year.

Then, if you have to pay it all (no insurance), then you're quickly into the hundreds of thousands.

How many years would it take one to save this much in their Health Savings Account? Oh, and you might experience more than one injury or illness per family in a year. bummer!

[salib]

Still in all

This is no solution. Simply paying this off (and future expenses like this) will not work, as there is a very limited amount of retirement. It is cruel what they are going through.

This is REAL. It is not solved by charity, either.

[NoBushSpokenHere]

3. I believe most medical care providers will work with you

to set payments you can afford. They prefer to have regular payments set up and may even offer to reduce the bill upon the acceptance of a payment plan. Call them and see what you can work out with them!

[seabeyond]

4. oh it is a nightmare. with all the different areas charging....

we end up paying a little here, a little there. you think 500 deductible... that is it. it is per every doctor, test all the different groups. emergency... just horrible. what happens if something actually happens.

i dont know enough. i have only been to hospital once and was totally confused.

[pitohui]

5. they can't get at your retirement fund, do NOT take money out of retirement fund

they can't sue for money in your retirement fund, and you have damn little as it is, don't take money out of your retirement fund, you'll owe taxes on it anyway as soon as you do, compounding the harm

my first choice would be immediately pay the real estate tax and see if i could get a small home equity loan, if this is not possible, i'd borrow the money from a low interest credit card (or one with a "no interest" introductory rate)

however, if you can't get credit, i'd just pay what i could every month and not answer the phone

they can NOT get at your retirement fund unless YOU break down and let them

[williesgirl]

6. Offer them $100/month if you can afford it. Hospitals don't charge interest

on their payment plans.

[spacelady]

7. I have heard these costs are negotiable if you work with them. They can

possibly be reduced if you agreed to pay them off sooner at a percentage on the dollar. Though I agree with earlier posts to not let them have access to protected funds that will penalize you for early withdrawal. It can't hurt to try.

[Warpy]

8. First, explain the situation to them and ask them if there is a

possibility that someone on a fixed income can get an adjustment. Most hospitals would rather you pay half the bill in a lump sum than drag the whole thing out over 5 years---or more.

Second, if they give you an adjustment, set up a payment schedule paying HALF of what you think you can afford, thus giving youself a small cushion against unforseen expenses (like gas prices going back up over $3.50).

Remember, they want to get paid with as little expense on their side as possible, so they use lawyers, liens against property, garnishment and debtor's prison (no, I'm not kidding about that one) as a last resort. Most hospitals would rather work WITH you, in other words.

I'm telling you this from personal experience. I've been uninsured since 1987, and I'm still quite a few years away from Medicare, if the GOP doesn't take it away from us.

[napi21]

9. Thank you all for the suggestions. I actually never thought about the

tax due if I take the money out of the retirement fund. I guess I'll call them back tomorrow and see what I can work out. It just upsets me so much because I well remember the days when hospitalization meant the bill was paid in full! 20% doesn't sound like much,butwhen you see the total on the bills when they come,all of a sudden it's sure not an incidental amount!