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The Worst Birthday Ever

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Posted 2/10/2012 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
cry  Today was my birthday and I got a letter in the mail from welfare saying they aren't going to help pay any of my hospital bills afterall. So now I have a little over six thousand dollars in medical bills, can't work, and have no way to pay them. I just cried all day. I guess I'll have to call up a lot of people and do some groveling tomorrow.
Posted 2/10/2012 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry, hugs and prayers, and happy birthday- and yes, I've had some of those horrible "happy" birthday days. Its not easy. But we are all here for you. Take care
Posted 2/10/2012 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
That's right, TA, we are. I'm sorry you had such a hard birthday.

I know most people don't like the thought of declaring bankruptcy, and with good reason. But sometimes it's the best answer. I know a bankruptcy lawyer who really feels that he helps a lot of people who, through no fault of their own, became unable to pay their bills. It's not something you'd do lightly, of course, but with medical bills especially, (since medical costs are out of this world!) it can be a lifesaver.

It might not be right for your situstion, but just something to keep in mind.

Happy Birthday anyway!

Debbie
Posted 2/11/2012 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
Respectfully, I would never consider bankruptcy over 6,000 in medical bills. Just make a payment arrangement. I once took about 6 years to pay a dentist. I made sure I sent something each month without fail, even if it was only 10 bucks. If you are dependable in paying monthly, you won't have much to worry about. It's not like you planned to have medical expenses to live fancy! :-)
Sorry about the bad birthday. You will feel better if you get those calls over with
Posted 2/11/2012 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Have you talked to the offices where the bills were created or asking for the hospital help line?  When I had bills from the hospital they had a group within the hospital that worked with people based on their financial need.  I was not on welfare but was out of work at the time.  They covered it 100%.  They had me call the doctors offices individually that were not contected to the hospital and explain the circumstances and that I was a self pay.  They reduced the bills by more than 1/2 and some dismissed them.  It is worth a try if you haven't called them. 

I wish you the best of luck, I know this can be very hard to get through when you didn't plan on this happening.  shakehead

Posted 2/11/2012 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
While trying to determine that I did not in fact have something other than fibromyalgia (we are still doing all kinds of tests) I racked up over $3k myself. But I have insurance, and they have been able to cover most of it; I still owe over $600 in what they wouldn't cover--and that was all just for one doctor; I also go to two other specialists.

What achey said is definitely an option. My older brother was born with severe problems, and was in surgery two days after birth. My dad said that he and my mom had to file for bankruptcy after a couple months, because they were getting bills for over $20k. They had to cancel on the house that they were in the process of buying, and after that there was never another opportunity to do so. My brother died when he was just 9.

I hope your birthday gets better, Happy Birthday anyway :)
Posted 2/12/2012 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
When I had emergency gall-bladder surgery in 2000, I had high medical bills. I arranged with the hospital to pay30 bucks a month, and they were fine with that.
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