Getting sued at Christmas..

[Acklander]

I just read in our paper that where I live (NJ), has the highest hospital rates in the country, and the non-insured are billed 4 times as much as the insurance companies. It's legal, but sure stinks for those without health insurance. My dad always told me that my number one priority in life is to always have health insurance (even if it meant sleeping in my car!). One serious injury or illness can ruin your whole life (which I was I support universal healthcare).

Here's a link to the article - the hospitals state they are willing to work with patients, however: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/cost_of_health_care_in_nj_hosp.html

While having insurance may be a number 1 priority, Keep in mind that not everyone is able to get health insurance. There are many of us out there who are considered "uninsurable" and no matter how badly I would like to buy insurance - it's just not going to happen. The insurance companies are allowed to cherry pick who they cover.
For this reason, I'm well aware on how important it is to talk to the hospital and negotiate for a smaller bill to bring it in line with what the insurance companies pay. I wasn't sure if everyone was aware of this, since there were a few comments made to the OP, how she shouldn't try for a smaller bill since that wouldn't be fair for those who do take care of their hospital bill (either with insurance or paying). I wanted the OP (and others who might be in the same situation) to understand that negotiating for a reduction in the bill isn't the same as dodging on a bill, where you expect others to pick up the slack.
I don't know why hospitals don't just charge a fair price for insured and self pay alike. Personally, I resent having to stop by the hospital and beg to be charged the same amount everyone else gets to pay just because I'm unable to get insurance. It's demeaning.

 

[mjkacmom]

While having insurance may be a number 1 priority, Keep in mind that not everyone is able to get health insurance. There are many of us out there who are considered "uninsurable" and no matter how badly I would like to buy insurance - it's just not going to happen. The insurance companies are allowed to cherry pick who they cover.
For this reason, I'm well aware on how important it is to talk to the hospital and negotiate for a smaller bill to bring it in line with what the insurance companies pay. I wasn't sure if everyone was aware of this, since there were a few comments made to the OP, how she shouldn't try for a smaller bill since that wouldn't be fair for those who do take care of their hospital bill (either with insurance or paying). I wanted the OP (and others who might be in the same situation) to understand that negotiating for a reduction in the bill isn't the same as dodging on a bill, where you expect others to pick up the slack.
I don't know why hospitals don't just charge a fair price for insured and self pay alike. Personally, I resent having to stop by the hospital and beg to be charged the same amount everyone else gets to pay just because I'm unable to get insurance. It's demeaning.

I totally agree with you - when I see my medical bills, and what was charged vs. what my insurance company paid, it's unbelievable! Those who pay OOP are subsidizing the insurance companies. I think it's criminal that people are refused health insurance due to pre-existing conditions. I do believe the hospitals overchange, and then are willing to come down.

 

[hipchickie]

We just had a Christmas Miracle!!!!!

ITA!! - OP I am so glad that all worked out for you, and so very, very quickly

 

[LoraJ]

I don't comment on these sorts of threads, because there's just no point. Anything I want to say has already been said by the time I'm ready to say it. And frankly, nothing I say is going to change anyone's mind anyway.

However, I had to reply to this.

Certainly most people on these boards are not debt-free. They have house payments, or car payments, or even credit card payments. Many of us choose to travel despite any outstanding debt we may have, even though it would perhaps be smarter in the long run to go on and pay off our debts more quickly. We decide that it is worth it to us to pay more interest in the long run so that we can travel now. And that's fine, because it's our money and we can be as wise or as foolish with it as we choose to be. We are abiding by the agreements we made when we borrowed the money, and the companies to whom we owe money have no claim over anything else as long as we are making the monthly payments we agreed to.

The situation in the OP is completely different. She owes someone money now that she was already supposed to have paid. She isn't being foolish with her own money, she's refusing to pay them their money. If she had made an agreement before receiving treatment to pay $200/month until the debt was settled, then it would be no one's business if she chose to travel before she was finished paying, as long as she was paying the $200 each month. She didn't do that. She received services and is now refusing to pay for them. She knew she owed the money, but chose to spend it on a luxury for herself instead of paying it to the hospital.

It isn't a matter of hindsight. She knew when she went to the hospital that there would be a bill. She knew she hadn't arranged some sort of payment schedule. When she went on her trip she knew she still owed the money. There's no way that all this comes as a surprise to her now. She said in the OP that she thought they'd just write off her debt. She didn't intend to pay it, and now that she realizes they won't write it off she expects them to give her a discount. She owes a debt, and she needs to pay it. And if that means cancelling vacations or doing without luxuries then that's what she needs to do.

To compare her situation to that of people who have borrowed money and are honoring the terms of their agreements seems completely ridiculous to me.

I totally agree. I will not lecture someone on having debt on credit cards and still taking trips as long as they are making their payments. I had revolving debt for most of my adult life but finally got out of the hole and am now utilizing my money in a different way. Don't spend until I have. But I've been on the other side and I know how it is.

This is totally different. This is someone who used a service and doesn't feel they have to pay for it. Stuff like this does get to me because it hurts others because our prices get jacked up. It does bug me. Just like someone who charges up expensive vacations right before they go bankrupt and then a month later brag about how they are debt free. Debt free on whose dime?

 

[princessmom29]

wow, amazing how that cleared right up!

Totally and completely believable too

 

[Missy1961]

I don't comment on these sorts of threads, because there's just no point. Anything I want to say has already been said by the time I'm ready to say it. And frankly, nothing I say is going to change anyone's mind anyway.

However, I had to reply to this.

Certainly most people on these boards are not debt-free. They have house payments, or car payments, or even credit card payments. Many of us choose to travel despite any outstanding debt we may have, even though it would perhaps be smarter in the long run to go on and pay off our debts more quickly. We decide that it is worth it to us to pay more interest in the long run so that we can travel now. And that's fine, because it's our money and we can be as wise or as foolish with it as we choose to be. We are abiding by the agreements we made when we borrowed the money, and the companies to whom we owe money have no claim over anything else as long as we are making the monthly payments we agreed to.

The situation in the OP is completely different. She owes someone money now that she was already supposed to have paid. She isn't being foolish with her own money, she's refusing to pay them their money. If she had made an agreement before receiving treatment to pay $200/month until the debt was settled, then it would be no one's business if she chose to travel before she was finished paying, as long as she was paying the $200 each month. She didn't do that. She received services and is now refusing to pay for them. She knew she owed the money, but chose to spend it on a luxury for herself instead of paying it to the hospital.

It isn't a matter of hindsight. She knew when she went to the hospital that there would be a bill. She knew she hadn't arranged some sort of payment schedule. When she went on her trip she knew she still owed the money. There's no way that all this comes as a surprise to her now. She said in the OP that she thought they'd just write off her debt. She didn't intend to pay it, and now that she realizes they won't write it off she expects them to give her a discount. She owes a debt, and she needs to pay it. And if that means cancelling vacations or doing without luxuries then that's what she needs to do.

To compare her situation to that of people who have borrowed money and are honoring the terms of their agreements seems completely ridiculous to me.

Great post. I 100% agree.

The "people here are so mean because they look up past posts" thing...well, I just don't know how to say this....but this is the internet folks. Whatever you post here, on Facebook, on MySpace, anywhere...can show up on Google or other search engines. And honestly, when a person comes here, posts about how he/she forgot to pay a bill & figured the hospital "would forget", well he/she is living in a different world than I am. Or most of us for that matter. And if that person just went to WDW, well, even if you stay in a value or an offsite hotel, a vacation to WDW isn't cheap. That money probably could have paid a good portion of this bill. And that kind of annoys me.

 

[Missy1961]

My mother and sister use the same screen name sorry everyone here is so quick to judge I have not been to disney since 2006 can't afford it sorry. All I asked for was an opinon and I got alot of different ones. It amazes me how many people jump to cunclusions. My family is not very computer savy so when they have a question about Disney I am the one they ask because I enjoyed getting on here reading your stories, ideas, and experiences. I see now that I got blasted without anyone even asking. I can't put my life story on here but good grief people don't take your negative feelings out on me. Get over because I am over this I just talked to the hospital it was a huge billing error and I just paid them the correct amount that it was supposed to be. Thanks to the few nice people who told me to go look at the bill with somebody.

Merry Christmas

Why am I not surprised?

 

[HLAuburn]

Y'all are too funny!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I don't agree with that ~ that sounds Marxist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxist_philosophy
Okay... Paying your bills to the best of your ability is a Marxist statement how exactly?
If I get medical treatment and someone who makes less than me gets that same treatment as well as someone who make 10 x's what I make **well I feel we should all be charged the same amount, and should pay the same amount, now those who are wise will have insurance which helps.

Maybe you should spend some time in a local hospital and find out how many people have insurance and are "wise" and how many of those same people are still not covered by their health insurer. Health insurance does not always help. In fact sometimes it can hurt you. And like someone said, there are plenty of people who not to any fault of their own are not insurable.

My son - 13 - burned last year - will not ever have an insurance carrier cover his existing condition with any new medical plan/insurance.

That is just one example of someone you would label stupid if you label someone with insurance as "wise.".


You are worried I might sound Marxist but maybe you should be more worried about name calling and inuendos that you are utilizing based on ignorance. You cannot lump everyone into a category of wise based on whether they have insurance.

I will be sure to tell my sister who works everyday as a Social Worker that all her clients who have mental retardation are not "wise" since they cannot get health care and they should pay the same as everyone else even though they make minimum wage and have no hope of ever making more.

 

[allison443]

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" is the Marxist creed. I think that is what the other poster was referring to.

Also--OT, sorry--Dizneydawn, I have seen a few posts about your son's accident and it is heartbreaking. I know he must have suffered so much. You have mentioned the ongoing dispute about the insurance proceeds from the various policies. Do you have legal assistance with this? You probably do but I just thought I would mention that, in case you didn't. It might help things get resolved more quickly. Best of luck.

 

[BabyTigger99]

Okay....so your mom and your sister all use the same account? Which one has the wife? This thread talks about that you (or your mom or sister), and your wife. Just a question I had.....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2330728

 

[DisneyMomma81]

....

 

[mom2twinz3]

Totally and completely believable too

I don't understand this????

She was condemned for NOT paying the bill and when she says she straightened it out and DID pay it, she gets sneering sarcasm?

OP, I am glad you worked it out! Good for you!

Dizneydreams..your posts were thoughtful and intellgent. You beautifully described the contrast between constructiveness and condemnation. This was exactly my point.

Merry Christmas all!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Maybe you should spend some time in a local hospital and find out how many people have insurance and are "wise" and how many of those same people are still not covered by their health insurer. Health insurance does not always help. In fact sometimes it can hurt you. And like someone said, there are plenty of people who not to any fault of their own are not insurable.

My son - 13 - burned last year - will not ever have an insurance carrier cover his existing condition with any new medical plan/insurance.

That is just one example of someone you would label stupid if you label someone with insurance as "wise.".


You are worried I might sound Marxist but maybe you should be more worried about name calling and inuendos that you are utilizing based on ignorance. You cannot lump everyone into a category of wise based on whether they have insurance.

I will be sure to tell my sister who works everyday as a Social Worker that all her clients who have mental retardation are not "wise" since they cannot get health care and they should pay the same as everyone else even though they make minimum wage and have no hope of ever making more.

I do think everyone should pay the same ~ part of the problem is things cost too much as it is, prices do need to be lowered but just not for some people - everyone. Part of the problem is people like OP not paying their debt and another problem is people who sue medical providers, also I think their (drs.) education costs way too much, perhaps we wouldn't have to pay so much if they didn't have so much debt from their education! If you'll notice I only quoted that part, what I didn't quote I do agree with for the most part.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" is the Marxist creed. I think that is what the other poster was referring to.

Yes!

 

[Kathy C]

I don't comment on these sorts of threads, because there's just no point. Anything I want to say has already been said by the time I'm ready to say it. And frankly, nothing I say is going to change anyone's mind anyway.

However, I had to reply to this.

Certainly most people on these boards are not debt-free. They have house payments, or car payments, or even credit card payments. Many of us choose to travel despite any outstanding debt we may have, even though it would perhaps be smarter in the long run to go on and pay off our debts more quickly. We decide that it is worth it to us to pay more interest in the long run so that we can travel now. And that's fine, because it's our money and we can be as wise or as foolish with it as we choose to be. We are abiding by the agreements we made when we borrowed the money, and the companies to whom we owe money have no claim over anything else as long as we are making the monthly payments we agreed to.

The situation in the OP is completely different. She owes someone money now that she was already supposed to have paid. She isn't being foolish with her own money, she's refusing to pay them their money. If she had made an agreement before receiving treatment to pay $200/month until the debt was settled, then it would be no one's business if she chose to travel before she was finished paying, as long as she was paying the $200 each month. She didn't do that. She received services and is now refusing to pay for them. She knew she owed the money, but chose to spend it on a luxury for herself instead of paying it to the hospital.

It isn't a matter of hindsight. She knew when she went to the hospital that there would be a bill. She knew she hadn't arranged some sort of payment schedule. When she went on her trip she knew she still owed the money. There's no way that all this comes as a surprise to her now. She said in the OP that she thought they'd just write off her debt. She didn't intend to pay it, and now that she realizes they won't write it off she expects them to give her a discount. She owes a debt, and she needs to pay it. And if that means cancelling vacations or doing without luxuries then that's what she needs to do.

To compare her situation to that of people who have borrowed money and are honoring the terms of their agreements seems completely ridiculous to me.

Well said!!

 

[wdwfan16]

Okay....so your mom and your sister all use the same account? Which one has the wife? This thread talks about that you (or your mom or sister), and your wife. Just a question I had.....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2330728

The brother, who is married, also uses the account!

 

[wdwfan16]

I don't understand this????

She was condemned for NOT paying the bill and when she says she straightened it out and DID pay it, she gets sneering sarcasm?

OP, I am glad you worked it out! Good for you!

Dizneydreams..your posts were thoughtful and intellgent. You beautifully described the contrast between constructiveness and condemnation. This was exactly my point.

Merry Christmas all!

I have a bridge for sale. Are you interested?

 

[Dizneydawn]

Also--OT, sorry--Dizneydawn, I have seen a few posts about your son's accident and it is heartbreaking. I know he must have suffered so much. You have mentioned the ongoing dispute about the insurance proceeds from the various policies. Do you have legal assistance with this? You probably do but I just thought I would mention that, in case you didn't. It might help things get resolved more quickly. Best of luck.

Thanks and I will try not hijacking this thread - but we have spoken to atorneys and we are in a no win situation.

In MN - the courts will not settle without going before a judge to ensure the child is protected if the injured party is under 18. Awesome and protects the child from parents being ignorant to what a child is elligible for and settling on something not in the best interest of the child. It also makes sure the money is put in trusts etc.

So legally the homeowners insurance would be forced to provide an attorney to represent Baylor. The attorney would be paid for by them. It is of no cost to us. Yet it is an attorney on their dole - and you have to assume/pray that they will do the best for your child.

Option 2 would be to hire out an attorney and hope it is worth the 30% they would get of whatever Baylor is awarded.

The $300,000 is gone. There is no way the settlement will be for less than that. The issue is how much will the courts award to my insurance company who wants the whole amount and how much will go to Baylor.

Since there is no way the homeowners insurance will pay out less than the full amount, do I trust that "Their" attorney will do the best by my son? Do I risk up to $90,000 of Baylor's money in hopes that a hired attorney will do a better job?

No judge is going to be happy that a health insurance company is trying to screw over a kid who laid in a bathtub for over an hour after being burned while the homeowners son played video games and refused to call for help.

In the end it is up to a judge to decide. Do I go with faith that the judge will be more fair to Baylor than an insurance company and risk not hiring our own attorney?

Do I spend money that is not mine but my sons, with the thought we have to fight for anything he will get.

You know that our Health Insurance is going to have an attorney there - but they can only lay out their side that they should have been the secondary insurer. It will be up to the judge on who gets what and we have pictures documenting every step of the burn and surgeries. How much weight he lost, the teasing he gets, the stares and the fact his life will never be the same. How much weight will that hold?

I can't tell you how much I lie awake and just agonize over this. It is not my money - it is Baylor's and that makes it harder.

If in the end we settle - and our Health Insurance gets less than what they want - they will be forced to pay out his bills. They already are not happy and everything that has happened to Baylor since - they wait and dink around paying incase it is a result from his burn.

He had to go to an eye doc in April for removing dirt from his eye. They refused to pay until the doc sent a letter saying it had nothing to do with his burn.

Okay - I need to go pack. Not ready to leave in 2 days at all.

 

[Dizneydawn]

I have a bridge for sale. Are you interested?

Is it possible to want to throttle someone and LMAO at them at the same time!

Why of course it is - Duh! I do it with my kids all the time!

You crack me up!