Had taken mother to emergency room got a big bill

[jagg123]

Hi Anyone

Last week Had to take my mother for emergency to a county hospital. Had taken inbound insurance. She is back and fine. I called up the hospital and they say the bill ran up to $10000/-. Inbound just covers <$1000. My mother is planning to go back soon. She doesn't have that much money to pay. Will I be required to pay or just tell the hospital she has gone back to India. Did any one went thru this kind of stuff. would like to hear your experience

Thanks

Jagg

[dheerajpath2usa]

why is inbound just paying $1000. does it say in the brochure that for emergency they will pay only 1000. was this a pre existing condition. pls provide the details

[jagg123]

Looking at the coverage inbound usa provides yes their is a limit on emergency coverage and would not go above 1500/-. Hospitals here are a rip off, just for few hrs of testing in the emergency room the bill came up high. Was wondering is their a way out to avoid these charges .

[Murali]

Jag113,

2 things :
1. About the coverage : It is as per the polciy and norms defined in the policy so, you may not get the claim if doesnt fall in the policy limit.
2. Can you run way from the expenses : the answer is Yes and No. If you have given your address contact details hospital will definitely try to follow up directly or through the collection agency to get the money.
You may try reducing the amount by talking to hospital accounts dept and request to consider some dicocunts etc.

[rohit_kkk]

>or just tell the hospital she has gone back to India.
That would be extremely unwise. When you don't pay the hospital, it will mark your account as delinquent and refer it to a collection agency.
Collection agencies have very resourceful people working for them. including lawyers and investigators. They are professionals who specialize in just one thing - to extract money from people who don't want to pay.
One of the things they will probably do is complain to INS (or whatever it's called these days). If you signed a financial affidavit of support when applying for your mother's visitor's visa, they may use of that to gain leverage. Alternatively they may file a criminal report with police stating that your mother is absconding.
If you are in H1 visa or applied for greencard, you don't want to be in trouble with INS or police.
Better pay up the balance or you may end up regretting it for rest of your life...