Hospital let you have surgery if you have collections account with them?

Question

I have a hospital that I had 2 surgeries at last year. I had a bill with them for $1,700. I set up monthly payments, but developed a pain condition and couldn't work for a long time and couldn't pay. I called and told them, but they sent it straight to collections. The collections company absolutely would not work with me, so I just ignored them. As soon as I got back up on my feet I started paying the collection agency monthly payments of $50.00. The hospital agreed on this payment term. Now; I'm having a 3rd surgery. I will only owe $500 due to a new insurance, but I'm just scared they'll refuse to do the surgery. Can they refuse if I'm paying on the other bill? It is 2 weeks before the surgery; if they weren't going to let me have it; wouldn't they have called by now??

Answer 1

There shouldn't be a reason why a hospital would deny you surgery that you need. I would talk to the hospital about some type of discount and payment plan for the surgery before the surgery happens. Usually they are more willing to work with you if you plan before the surgery. I know that many hospitals that I've worked with have been willing to discount and work with payment when my parents worked with them before the surgery so that my parents could afford the surgeries that my insurance would not cover. I would give them a call and see what you can work out. Good luck!