HOW HOSPITAL RATING PROGRAM WORK

[kathy44102 0]

HI

I WILL GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS

MY FAMILY SPONSOR ME HERE AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT I WILL NEED EXPENSIVE MEDICAL PROCEDURE

IN OUR CITY ,THERE IS A HOSPITAL WITH RATING PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME

IF I ASK FOR IT ,CAN THEY ASK THE SPONSOR TO PAY BACK AFTER THE PROCEDURE

PEOPLE TOLD ME THAT HOSPITAL PROGRAM IS NOT A MEAN TESTED PUBLIC BUT I AM NOT SURE

MY FAMILY IS NOT VERY VERY RICH AND I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE THEM MORE HEADACHE

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANSWERING

[KaiserD 12]

I'm really not an expert so I hope someone more knowledgeable can give you more help but...

It is my understanding that if it was some kind of state program you would not be denied but you might have to pay them back at some point, not being a public charge and everything.

From my experience here it seems like a lot of hospitals run schemes to lower the overall cost of treatment, when my baby was born we had insurance but there was still a huge bill and they gave us a discount for paying a large sum at once. Even if you can't get any help I don't think they can totally refuse you and as long as you are willing to pay a portion at a time there is room for negotiating overall sums.

If you still need your sponsor's help at the end of the day though, you need their help. That is what they are for and legally obligated to do - after all it is not your fault you are sick. I completely understand that you don't want to be a burden, but you are not entitled to any help from government assistance (as a citizen is). All I can suggest is negotiating with your sponsor about paying them back.

First find out from the hospital about the details of the program, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

I hope you get well soon, it is no fun being ill without your own family there to support you. Don't feel bad just for trying to live, concentrate on getting better and worry about the money later.

Edited May 11, 2010 by KaiserD

[kaffy 2]

You will need to speak to the hospital directly and find out what kind of payment plan they can offer you and on what terms. I work in the hospital system and our organization always discusses payment options and deposits with our self-pay patients ahead of elective procedures.