Can a hospital take a widow's life ins., if health insurance doesn't provide good coverage for husband's care

Question

A 40 yr. old man had a sudden catostrophic illness. Hospitalized & on a ventilator for16 days before dying. Wife left with 12 yr. old twins. The family had health ins. but not through their jobs (neither offered health ins) The hospital wanted to transfer to University hosp. because their type of ins. didn't pay well, but pt. too ill & not stable enough to transfer. She is willing to pay on bill every mos for rest of her life but would not be able to make huge payments. Can the hospital take the life ins. She recieves? Her sister's son had lukemia & was in U hosp. 7 weeks. He survived. Hospital set up pay plan of $875.00 per mos.This was 10 yrs. ago and family could not pay that amount. Hospital would not take lower mos pay & turned $500,000 debt to credit co. which has ruined their credit to this day. Can this non profit hosp. get this young widow's insurance money. They live in small rural community in Iowa where many people with jobs struggle to keep up with just regular bills.

Answer 1

She needs to see an attorney to find out what her legal protections are in her state. Probably the county bar has a referral program where she can go for a half-hour consult for under $100 and get an informed, accurate answer.

IF they had insurance and the hospital ACCEPTED the insurance, I do not believe they can come after her for MORE funds beyond what her co-pay or deductible were because the hospital had a CONTRACT and it's past time that contract law was enforced in the health care field. The attorney SHOULD be able to address that for her. I would also not hesitate to invite the media in to beat the living heck out of the greedy defrauders at the hospital who would NOT honor their contract. They get taxpayer-subsidized breaks and they OWE us taxpayers.

Just because the man wasn't transferred and they wanted to give him the boot is NOT the question. FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES--NOT free treatment of an illegal alien's stubbed toe in the ER as fools contend--but that people be STABILIZED and capable medically of being transported. If they aren't stable and it is too risky to transport, the LAW requires them to remain where they are. The hospital knows that but hopes this CITIZEN does not. Again, lawyer can explain that and again, the media should do its job and SHAME hospitals that terrorize citizens instead of following the law.

I see someone said life insurance was "creditor proof." That's in Canada. I don't believe that applies in IA, but again, the lawyer is the person to answer that question with authority.

I am sorry for her loss and the struggles the family has gone through. Bless you for caring and wanting to help and God bless them and all the other responsible people who pay for their own insurance, especially when the government FAILS in its DUTY to enforce the LAW and put them through untold agonies.

Answer 2

I know your question related to life insurance, but why not have the widow apply for medicaid to see if that could help with the balances left on the hospital bills? Since there were children, and obviously he could be considered disabled, he might qualify if it hasn't been too late. Of course I don't know what the household income is...

Non-profit hospitals all have Charity Care-she should ask about this as well. They may require that she apply for medicaid. Medicaid will only go back 3 months from the date of application to cover services already rendered.

Answer 3

i don't think anybody can get the insurance money without sueing here, but it's probably going to happen to her like her sister

Answer 4

One of the benefits of life insurance proceeds is that they are "creditor proof."

Good luck and I hope this helps!