Relative with problem hospital bill

[Rajah]

While visting US, my in-law had a health problem 2 yrs ago.The insurance covered half of 10k bill. The hospital sent a bill of $5k, which was not paid. They sent it to credit collection.
Now my in-law wants to visit us again. Will there be problem entering US ? Please share experiences and any advice.

Thanks.

 

[Triple Citizen]

Why don't your in-laws use the money to pay their bill off rather than re-visit the US?

The hospital sent a bill of $5k, which was not paid. They sent it to credit collection.
Now my in-law wants to visit us again. Will there be problem entering US ?

 

[gc2live]

Don’t run away from the situation, if you have taken the services, and you are a good citizen, you must ready to pay for the services. You should definitely do some efforts to minimize the bill and find all possible ways to negotiate, waive and reduce the charges. Communication is the key ..

1. Talk to the billing dept.: Find out if they have a waiver policy. Some hospitals have a waiver program, if the patient qualifies, espeically if he or she is not in good financial standing, you may have to provide proof of income, etc.
2. Request for discount: Accounts departments may agree to give some discount. In many cases, hospitals offer any where from 25% to 70% discount.
3. Payment terms: Ask if the payment can be made in easy and affordable through installments programs, like paying X dollar per month for next 2 years etc.

http://www.visitorscoverage.com/insurance/knowledge/visitorinsurance-handling-uncovered-services.htm
More details ..

 

[Rajah]

Why don't your in-laws use the money to pay their bill off rather than re-visit the US?

Mr.Triple Cit
I have seen many posts from you. Most of them seem to be useful. But this one IS way off the mark. Thanks for pointing out your option, which I already know. My question was more, if he doesn't pay will it create probs re-entering USAI am looking for experiences on that.

.

 

[Rajah]

Don’t run away from the situation, if you have taken the services, and you are a good citizen, you must ready to pay for the services. You should definitely do some efforts to minimize the bill and find all possible ways to negotiate, waive and reduce the charges. Communication is the key ..

1. Talk to the billing dept.: Find out if they have a waiver policy. Some hospitals have a waiver program, if the patient qualifies, espeically if he or she is not in good financial standing, you may have to provide proof of income, etc.
2. Request for discount: Accounts departments may agree to give some discount. In many cases, hospitals offer any where from 25% to 70% discount.
3. Payment terms: Ask if the payment can be made in easy and affordable through installments programs, like paying X dollar per month for next 2 years etc.

http://www.visitorscoverage.com/insurance/knowledge/visitorinsurance-handling-uncovered-services.htm
More details ..

Dude
The bill is exorbitant, if it were me (in the hospital) with United or Blue cross insurance, the negotiated rate would be around $2k. The hospital is overcharging that is why we are livid. We are interested in knowing people's experiences when trying to reenter with upaid bill..

 

[Triple Citizen]

Why? I hope it is not being considered off the mark because it is not what you wanted to hear. I am only calling a spade a spade here. If the concerned party has the means to plan a trip to the US, in my opinion, that party also has the means to settle their bill. I apologise if it sounds curt but that is the way I look at it.

But this one IS way off the mark.

Yes, if a warrant was issued. However, chances of that happening are very unlikely.

My question was more, if he doesn't pay will it create probs re-entering USA