Will a hospital let you have surgery if you have a collections account with them??

Question

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

First of all, you are NOT obligated to pay directly to a collection agency.  Pay directly to the hospital's billing department.  Collection agencies normally get 50% of what is owed to the hospital, and that's just for sending out nasty letters and telephone harrassment.

It isn't likely that the hospital would notify you in advance.  The bill usually slams you when you file your admission papers for the surgery.  If you were paying directly to the hospital's billing department, then they could readily access your account and work out a payment plan before you have the procedure.

I think that if I were in your position, I would go to the hospital and do a pre-admission; that is, fill out the admission forms before the day of admission.  That way, if there is any discussion about your bill, you can take care of it and possibly receive the surgery.  The fact that you have picked up and started paying on the bill, shows a good faith gesture on your part.  

Another idea you may want to look at is obtaining a bank loan and just paying off the old bill and the remaining $500 on the new bill.  

Hope you get well soon.

Answer 2

Well if the hospital is 3 hours away its sounds like this is unecessary surgery work or a specialist.  If it is a specialist, you shouldn't have any problems if it can be deemed you have to go to them.  If it is unnecessary surgery, then the hospital would have the right to deny your surgery.  

Answer 3

not likely they will turn you down but it they want to play hard ball they could!!!

Answer 4

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!  

Answer 5

Hospitals have an ethical responsibility to provide necessary medical treatment regardless of the patient's ability to pay.  If you were having a face lift or a tummy tuck, which are elective surgeries, they might be able to refuse you.  But if this is non-elective, necessary surgery they should not be able to refuse.  You might, however, offer to make a "down payment" to go towards whatever costs are not covered by your insurance.