how much can hospital cut off the bill

[florida2001]

Friend of mine got bill from the hospital and she can not afford to pay $5,799. She called hospital and they told her she can pay either fulll amount and offered 15% discount($4,900) or filled financial hardhip. She filed financial hardship and they gave her $299 discount (which is not even 15% what they had offered her if paid in full amount)
the final bill is now$5,500. she can not afford to pay. she appealed and never heard from hospital. what can possibly happened if she won't pay. how much she can negotiate? anyone experience or advice?

 

[STIBROKER]

yea....set up $20 payments and renegotiate in a year.......

 

[florida2001]

what happened if the person is unable to pay? can they touch your credit? wuld it be smarter to negotiate lower price and borrow money to pay that off in full? what wuld be the lowest she could ask.
just looking for the best way

 

[adjusterjack]

The hospital will more than likely send the bill to a collection agency and it will trach her credit.

She needs to get herself over to that hospital personally and talk to the financial aid people face to face.

She should also apply for whatever serves as Medicaid in Florida.

 

[somarco]

Does the friend have health insurance?

If she does not pay they can and will turn her over to collections in most jurisdictions.

You can also ask Google . . .
Should I Pay An Old Medical Bill In Collections? | West Palm Beach Debt Attorney

 

[fed up]

she may have to negotiate with each group on the bill. Physicians, ER, XRAY, .....