Medical bill no SSN?

Question

A month ago I went to emergency in South Carolina. My hands were burned by hot peppers so they applied an anesthetic cream and wrapped my both hands. I spent 30-40mins in there.

I am a tourist here, I have no social security or medical insurance. They have my real name and the real address I stay in US. They didn't ask for any kind of ID or passport, or didn't ask me to sign any forms.

Now they sent the bill, $850. On the bill It says 'If you are eligible, one of our programs can help you pay the bill or pay it off'

Anybody know or guess what conditions could they be? And what can happen If I don't pay the bill?

Answer 1

Before you go anywhere you should always by a temperary insurance for that country your travel agent should have mentioned that to you.Sad thing is the temp insuance is 80.00 and its a full coverage insurance.



They wont arrest you if you dont pay,and they are suppose to treat you no matter what.

  It will go against your credit.

Its to bad you didnt ask for the doctor that they have specifically for people who cant pay then it would be coverd completely.



Your should ask about a payment plan

Answer 2

i suspect that as a foreign national none of their programs will apply to you.  If you don't pay it nothing will probably happen if you go home. If you stay here and work, and use credit etc, it'll hurt your credit rating.  If youre interested in doing the right thing, you might call them and negotiate a discount...seems pretty steep for the treatment provided.

Answer 3

Well since you are a tourist you are not eligible for any public assistance i know. You may able to make monthly payments by going on a payment plan til you pay it off.Good luck

Answer 4

Contact the care giver.

Answer 5

Welll, medical collections is very aggressive.   They'll chase you down, even in your own country if they can.

Regarding the programs, I don't know if they would include tourists - I actually doubt it.  But you'd have to call the number and ask.

Answer 6

Call the number on the bill.  There is someone there that can answer all your questions.

Answer 7

How don't  you have a social security number? Even if you are in another state in an emergency room you should still have to sign paper work. As for them sending you a bill and saying you can use one of their programs to help you pay it or pay it off means you call them, and talk to someone about the bill, and they can set you up on a payment plan.  For example if you can only afford $50 a month to pay on it then they will set up a plan for you to pay $50 a month until the bill is paid off. Also I would ask them why they didn't have you sign any paperwork while you were in their care because that makes absolutely no sense at all. Every hospital is required to have you sign paperwork giving them permission to treat you.  Good luck.