In Colorado they have a program called CICP (Colorado Indigent Care Program) a state-funded program which discounts your bills based on your income and expenses.

This is the type of thing you have to ASK for, and likely there will be many hoops to jump through, but it’s worth it. I hope they have something similar in your state. But if not…

Even if you are only sending them $10 a month, you are still paying down that bill, and as long as you are paying SOMETHING, they can’t force you to pay more.

dude, if I had the coin to give you a hand I’d do it quite gladly. As it is, all I can do is wish you the best of good luck.

Good luck, Les.

You have ask the hospital’s billing department for the forms to fill out to get your debt forgiven or at least reduced. As mentioned, a LOT of hoops, but worth it—at the very least is staves off them turning things over to a collection agency until the decision is made. Hospital collection agencies are among the most vicious, so don’t neglect this. And never, don’t ever, pay for medical bills with your credit card—the hospital told us medical bills are not supposed to be reported to the credit agencies, but you have no such protection from the credit card companies. Oh, and you don’t have to be living at poverty level to get relief from your medical bills—it’s usually something like earning four times the poverty level or less—at least in Connecticut (not sure if it’s a federal law).

Patness, don’t worry about it. I appreciate the sentiment just the same. This wasn’t meant as a plea for money, just a general grousing post.

Carrie and Neurotwitch, thanks for the advice. Don’t have any credit cards to pay it with so no worries there. Try to avoid CCs.

Why did she need a CAT scan?

The doctors weren’t sure what was wrong with her, but suspected it was a kidney stone. Wasn’t showing up on the x-ray so they ordered a CAT scan.

Uh, did they not tell you beforehand about the second scan? I mean, you probably would have done it even had you known (its your daughter after all!) but heck, even people with a good job might get into financial trouble due to that kind of money.

Here in NZ, the kind of stuff your daughter would have needed (effectively emergency care) would have been free. Its not perfect here (you have a bad hip, and you might wait forever) but its far, far better than the US. Anybody think Hillary will do something about it (really do something) if she wins?

Sorry to hear but glad all is well, hope that helps. Like NZ Australia would give you all that health care free. Infact Australia is now number 3 on the best place to live

Thanks again for the help, folks. You guys are too kind.

Australia is one of the countries I’ve often wondered about when thinking of other places I might like to live. Of course most of what I know about it is either from Crocodile Dundee films or National Geographic specials so the image I hold in my head is probably far from the reality.

Les, I want to help.. but you are going to have to wait till next month.

Hang tight!