My son has undergone an emergeny appendectomy and has been hospitalized over 7 day(s) now.  I have insurance, but I fear that when all is said and done, I will be staring down a smoking barrel of at least a $15000 medical bill.  I am currently in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy to make things even worse.
138271
you need to go to the business office at the hospital where the surgery was done and apply for financial assistance, most hospitals have some type of finacial assistance program for patients,i am an ER Nurse
620254
I have read your previous question:\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ao1grVAAeLJuM8JSTcwQYjjsy6IX?qid=20060605193038AA1TtGf\n\nYou are an idiot.  They are doing everything they need to do for you.  The court system is in place for real problems, not for people like you that think you are entitled to everything for no good reason.  Get over it.  They are paying your medical bills and have apologized to you.  You do not deserve any additional money...the bite did not even break the skin!  Because of people like you our court system...and our emergency rooms...are tied up for stupid reasons.  There was no reason for you to go to the ER.  \n\nIf it was possible I would sue you for $5,000 for putting up with your stupidity.  Unfortunately, I'm not a "single mom", so I don't think I would have a case.
657262
Hmmm..might want to talk to a lawyer.  All insurance companies will do whatever they can do to pass the buck onto someone else so they can save money.\n\nRealistically though, that's why people have homeowner's insurance - to cover accidents that happen at their home.  Whether or not your friend wants to make an insurance claim or pay you out of their own pocket is their choice, but either way, your FRIEND should be covering your medical costs as well as any lost work income you had.\n\nIn fact, they should be grateful that you are not suing for more, because you could legally get pain and suffering too!\n\nNot all insurance companies drop on one claim.  I had State Farm and had two $5K claims in the first 9 months I had the house and they didn't drop me or raise my rates (to my surprise).\n\nIn any case, your insurance company does have the right to go after your friend (if the friend doesn't turn over the insurance info) and you probably ARE legally compelled to cooperate.  Check your own insurance contract.  Otherwise your ins co might be able to refuse the claim.\n\nPlus you are still out a week or more's income.\n\nJeez..you sound like a great and caring friend, but your friend is more concerned with his own pocket than your welfare.   I'd ditch the friend and hire a lawyer to sue them!
479769
You're really not that low as you might think! Your problems can be fixed with better mobility. I thought you were going to say something about losing a limb, or becoming paralyzed or something! Getting a divorce and never seeing your kids.  Getting 3rd degree burns all over and recovering.  I think the military is a perfectly acceptable option for getting your life together.  We recently took in a young man who due to a variety of mishaps, had lost his drivers license, and then was kicked out of his mom's place by her new boyfriend.  He was sleeping in the park when my daughter (his h.s. friend) found out. He is in boot camp for the Navy as I write this.  He gets a stipend while he's in there, room and board and food, and he also will receive a $20,000 cash bonus in addition to the $8,000 he will have for school each year.  When he returns next month, my husband and I are going to help him find a small apt, and help him to find a decent running but cheap car.  (He's a Reserve)  So you've really got to choose your options better, or it sounds like you'll be stuck at mom's!
398844
If i were you I would call the hospital and talk to someone in patient accounts. i had a friend who was told they had a brain anurism (sp?) and they shipped him to another hospital etc etc and racked up alot of bills and the wife called and ended up they didnt have to pay it. Chances are you will have to pay for the first one though, it was part of your treatment.
259414
I have had a devastating illness in the family. I am a Citizen. I did NOT receive help for my son. Just a kiss off. The programs are bloated with people who should NOT even qualify but by false documentation or the rules of that state of not being ALLOWED to ask if they are legal citizens take away from the LEGAL CITIZENS who have paid into the system for years. I know I am blessed my son is still alive there are sooooo many others who have lost their child through inadequate medical care due to money constraints.
118297
That's dumb.  Don't tell me you are thinking of suing for something stupid like that...\n\nPerhaps you could be recompensated for any actual medical expenses that you incurred...but anything more than that is ridiculous.
60247
I know at the hospital here they have payment plans even programs that will pay the bill for you, if you do go (which is sounds like you should) tell the nurses and doctors that you do not have ins. they will either give you some to take home or give you some thru a IV to be taken there... I hope you feel better..
348936
Go straight to the ER. Did you fill out papers with apolice officer at the time of the accident. Did you refuse to get checked at the time the accident? If so you may be out of luck. But still start the process and get a good lawyer.
448684
I am a paramedic and have to deal with Malpractice lawsuits from patients on a regular basis.  This is not due to a lack of patient care on my part, but more that the individual is looking to make a quick buck.  The health care system is here to help and I promise you that the medical professionals that work in the system are not making a fraction of what your insurance pays.  The small private clinics, like the one you went to, are a gray area.  You should talk with the Podiatrist and share your concerns with them and find out why he provided you with the care that they did.  If in the long run, you decide to sue, make sure the money your asking for is appropriate and dont pull that "mental anguish" crap.  Medical professionals are only human and cannot be expected to be perfect.
248278
I thought that you might find this informative to say the least. It will give you a better idea of what you are dealing with, unfortunately I am willing to bet that because of the situation a lawsuit may not even be considered. Sounds as if this is not a ordinary condition such as dealing with your gall bladder or appendix. In cases where they try different things in order to fix a problem that is not common it makes it difficult to prove that there is really any negligence involved. Case in point, my brother in law had lung cancer, they treated him for pneumonia for the year before it was actually diagnosis as cancer. In the mean time it had turned to small cell lung cancer, which basically is a death sentence. He died. Now the thing was is that because he was a smoker and had smoked his whole life he had symptoms of lung disease the cancer shows up on xrays very much like pneumonia and lung disease, where they negligent, well according to the lawyers my sister talked to NO. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't consult with a medical malpractice lawyer just to be sure. The thing that I would do is get a notebook and document everything that has happened so far while it is still fresh in your minds. Have everyone that is involved write down everything they can remember. That will help when you go to talk with the lawyer. Also don't let anyone from the hopital know that you might take action. The lawyer can and will request all information and records involved in his care. Then they have people(experts) who can really tear things apart and decipher what just went on to see if there was medical malpractice.\n\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000068.htm\n\n\nAlso upon reading that article above from the link, a collapsed lung is not an uncommon thing with this condition. That I am sorry to say. Meaning, it can happen spontaniously without any trauma but just because of what is going on. Sounds like you are in for a tough time. I am truly sorry for your family and brother. My prayers will be with you.
46648
that all depends on the type of hospital that you go to - regaurdless of that if you need the help get it - then worry about the bills - if you do get charged then try and apply for medicaid - they ask if you have any unpaid medical bills for the last three months then the retroactivly pay them - but whatever you do get help - if you want to talk more e-mail me at live_love_laugh_21@yahoo.com
242175
I went through this when my husband had open heart surgery.  Contact your local community services, they  have emergency family care and they will help you financially.  Also check your local charities.  Ours helped with the light bills during this time of need.  We donated back to them when he got able to go back to work.  Good luck to you and your husband, I know this is a scarey and trying time for you both.  You are both in my thoughts.
482724
You may think you have the right to inflict your filth on others, believe me you don't. I'm still going to end up paying for all the medical care that your going to need when you are dying from cancer or emphysema. The sad thing is you are going to be more miserable than you are already.
616626
you should take your friend to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible..... don't wait.. hospitals must treat you in an emergency whether you have insurance or not...
56712
She can't be kept on ins. until 25?  When son turned 18 I called and checked out many many insurance companies.  Check with local Family Independence Agency - sometimes child can get assistance with medical (like medicaid).
290182
I think you should go to a credit counselor and then a lawyer.  Both will have ideas on what steps to take to get you out of your current difficulties.  Both initial visits should be free.  An friend of mine chose to quit her chapter 13 because she felt the repayment was too high.  You can at least ask about that or maybe making it a chapter 7 so you don't have to worry about it anymore.  You should be able to keep your house and truck.  Really go and investigate.  It can't get much worse I'm sure and at least you will be moving forward.