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My in laws are visiting us and their son/DIL in US and my MIL while on a flight from west coast to east coast suffered breathing issues and had to go to emergency room, as soon as the flight landed in Boston.

She did not had any medical/visitor insurance. Health wise, she is perfectly fine now but she has got the bills of $5000 and $1000 for the ER treatment and ambulance respectively this week (couple of weeks after the incident happened).

Is there a way that the bills can be negotiated as the charges seems to be exorbitant?

Please help!!

Regards!

sambasambo1;390401My in laws are visiting us and their son/DIL in US and my MIL while on a flight from west coast to east coast suffered breathing issues and had to go to emergency room, as soon as the flight landed in Boston.

She did not had any medical/visitor insurance. Health wise, she is perfectly fine now but she has got the bills of $5000 and $1000 for the ER treatment and ambulance respectively this week (couple of weeks after the incident happened).

Is there a way that the bills can be negotiated as the charges seems to be exorbitant?

Please help!!

Regards!

Have you called the ER and ambulance provider and talked to them? They may negotiate if you tell them that the patient does not have health insurance. Also, sometimes they may allow you to pay in installments.

Note: I have never had to do this myself - this is based on what I have read.

Hope your MIL is doing fine now.

- ER and hospital charges can be negotiated.(Dealing with hospital is relatively easy)
- Usually ambulance services are provided by independent service provider and may not be ready for any negotiation or discounts.

Prevent yourself from any such future issues, If you do not already have an insurance for her, buy a suitable insurance for them soon. Such emergencies can strike any time. Living in US without an insurance is a mistake and should not be taken as an excuse, after all It is for your own protection. Such mistakes/ignorance can leave you with stress , financial and legal liabilities.

Be a good citizen If you have taken the services,you must ready to pay for the services. You should definitely do some efforts to minimize the bill and find all possible ways to negotiate, waive and reduce the charges. Communication is the key ..

1. Talk to the billing dept.: Find out if they have a waiver policy. Some hospitals have a waiver program, if the patient qualifies, especially if he or she is not in good financial standing, you may have to provide proof of income, etc.

2. Request for discount: Accounts departments may agree to give some discount. In many cases, hospitals offer significant discount.

3. Payment terms: Ask if the payment can be made in easy and affordable through installments programs, like paying X dollar per month for next 2 years etc.


read more here:

How to handle situation if you do not have insurance.
http://www.visitorscoverage.com/insurance/knowledge/visitorinsurance-handling-uncovered-services.htm

We wish you good luck. If need any help and additional tips in negotiating, or communicating to these agencies, send us an email(support AT VisitorsCoverage.com) with your contact phone number and we will try to assist you.