Ever Negotiated a Hospital Bill?

Updated on September 26, 2011
T.S. asks from Dallas, TX
8 answers

i have insurance and hospital was paid over $60K by ins co. for my surgery, i have paid about $3000 already and owe another $4000. they immediately put the balance on my credit report, even though its less than 6 week old.

has anyone had any success with medical city getting a balance reduced or written off altogether?

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

I've called and successfully negotiated a hospital bill, but more recently it seems they are more hard nose on negotiating, even saying they can't negotiate on balances determined by insurance to "be your responsibility." I have even had billing departments require payment in full of large balances with 3 months and no longer with the slightest default sending you into collection agencies and bad credit marks. So, I think it is going to depend on the hospital itself and your financial ability to pay. I would definitely give it a shot. If they don't and you don't qualify financially for hospital assistance (based on income) then I would guess the only 2 options you have are to pay it or let it default, go to collections unpaid for a period of time until they are either ready to make an offer.

I am curious to see how it turns out for you. Keep us posted.

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

After our son was born, we got a large bill from the hospital. I knew the ins. company had already paid their portion. I can't remember the amount but I was in tears when I opened the bill. Someone told me to call billing at the hospital and ask if they would write it off. They did.

It is worth a try. Good luck!

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

You need to get in touch with the patient advocates office at the hospital. They are on-site and while employed by hospital, they are there for you. Ask them if they work with RAC or RCA or another on-site billing support.
You could also, based on income, etc. discuss your options to petition your account for "charity care" which is a board who, looks at your bill, etc.
But, seriously, the patient advocates office is a great place to start as each hospital is different.
Best of luck!

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A.G.

answers from Las Cruces on

Yes. Last year I had more in medical bills than I make in several years. I contacted the hospitals foundation, had to provide tax returns and my employer had to fill out some paperwork that verified my income and the foundation paid 90% of the remaining balance.

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

If paid in full, the hospital should do a minimum 30% off the top. This is pretty well standard in the medical industry. Negotiating down any further is unlikely, but definitely worth a try!

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

If you are making payments then they can't report it to the credit bureau. My son was born 2 years ago and I make a payment of $50 a month. Call the billing department and see what can be done.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I'm not sure what "medical city" is, but most hospital billing departments will work with you especially when they have received the bulk of the bill.
I would contact the hospital billing department directly.

Best wishes.

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J.B.

answers from Tyler on

Eleven years ago our hospital had a policy of 50% off when paying cash. I had a huge deductible that was equal to the amount of the cost of the DNC. BEFORE my surgery, I decided to pay cash for the surgery and file it toward my deductible. The hospital charged me $1500 for the $3000 surgery. I don't know if yours will cooperate after the fact.

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