Is there a limit to medical bills? Someone I know signed a medical waiver and now owes 325K. His mom has died.

Question

She had no insurance.

Answer 1

Your friend should probably work with a probate attorney to help settle your mother's estate.  My understanding of the situation is that his mom's estate owes the money, not him.

Answer 2

My sympathies and condolences to your friend.

No.  There are no limits to how high a medical bill can go.  Your friend, unfortunately, looks as though he or she is about to get an important lesson on Why Health Insurance Is Important.

First: Have your friend check the copy of the waiver they received.  If it was a WAIVER there may be no reason that he owes the hospital anything, and they are just grasping at straws.  So confirm that he is actually responsible for the medical bill.

If not... problem solved.

Second: If he IS responsible for the bill, contact the hospital.  Explain the situation and negotiate the price way, way, way, way, way down.  A good administrator will negotiate, rather than have you file bankruptcy and have to write the entire amount off.

Third: Payment plan.  Talk to their Billing and Accounts Receivable people to work out a reasonable amount of money that can be paid in reasonable increments of time.

Good luck to you and your friend with this.  It is an unpleasant situation, and I hope that he makes it through alright.