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When I was on F1 visa, had an emergency bill of 4k, called and reduced to $600 and 6 months payment plan, but it was a long time ago
Did you sign a form taking on financial responsibility? If not, call them and tell them she can only afford $100 or how much ever or so a month in payments. Negotiate a smaller payoff.
Yes there’s fine print on the hospital’s website somewhere if they are non-profit or a public hospital— likely saying they abide by a financial assistance mandate for reduced taxes or something
Ahh I’m forgetting the keywords but I’m sure someone will else will be able to fill it in
I heard about this new law (in force) where you can negotiate hospital bills and have up to a year to pay without credit impact. I hope that would apply here.
What is the total amount? One thought…call to negotiate a lower amount on your mom’s behalf. See if they can direct you to a financial assistance program. Get them to send a restated invoice. Ignore for a couple months. Call again and tell them she can’t afford the new amount but it can pay X% if the negotiated amount. Hope this helps!!
Coach
You could call the hospital and try to negotiate, explain the situation. They may have a “cash rate” they are willing to let you pay, if you make immediate payment.
Does she have any insurance in her home country?
Is this a large amount? If so, they may be billing their full rate and if you let it go for 3 months will be ready to settle for 30% of it.
The network rate is 25% of their full amount any way!
Visual Storyteller
Thank you!!
Is your mom seeking to immigrate to the US? If not, better to just ignore the bill. The hospital has no means of collecting from a foreign national.
Enthusiast
What state are you in?
Visual Storyteller
Thank you!
If she was just visiting, does she even care if she has bad credit here?
She likely doesn’t have credit here as you need a ssn for that which she probably doesn’t have either.
Who sponsored her US visa application? That person was likely required to sign an Declaration of Financial Support, and agreed to cover her financial obligations, including medical bills.
Failing to do so could very likely cause her future visa applications to be denied.
Not all Visas need sponsorship, also, sponsoring doesn't mean they are signing an affidavit of support, e.g. an employer can sponsor a H1B, good luck trying to have them pay for their employees bills.
Why don’t you just pay it for her?
Gofundme
I'd call the hospital and try to negotiate a lower rate. Leaving the country with the intent of no paying back is straight up stealing, not sure if they ever catch you, but it's definitely wrong. I don't think you're legally bounded though, but I'd never let my mom steal.
I'm also an immigrant and parents getting sick while visiting the US is one of my biggest fears. They have insurance policies at home that have coverage in the US, but on top of that, I always get them traveler's insurance just in case.
A friend of mine brought his mom for a few weeks, she fell off the stairs and broke her hip. Her travel insurance coverage was only $50k, hospital bills were $80k. He called them and told them: $50k, take or leave it? Surprisingly they ended up billing $42k "only".
Imigrant here as well and got a lot of bills for the delivery if my baby…please share any advice on how to negotiate the bills..I have uhc insurance but I met my deductible and out of pocket…around 7k on bills now…thanks!
NY and yes