Paying medical bills while on disability?

[Changing4Best]

I just got out of the hospital. 8 day stay. I have 2 other hospital bills I am paying off and I am on Disability. I also have a small job that pays a tiny stipend. Other than that, and some public assistance, I am looking at a difficult time financially in the near future, or so it seems.

I am running into the problem of getting public assistance to the point that getting a regular job, being paid, would be detrimental to my public assistance. In other words, if I got a regular job that pays me what I would probably be worth, I would lose so much public assistance, that it would not be worth it. On the other hand, if I don't get the job, I fear that I may not be able to pay all these bills.

Also, for all practical purposes, I have been retired for about 15 years, since 2002. Going back to work at this stage in my life seems beyond me, especially since I suffer from a physical illness that saps my energy and strength. It is called Lyme Disease and it has some 200+ symptoms! I don't have all of them, none of us who has it does, but I have enough of them that working takes a lot out of me, and my small job that I only do for 3 hours 5 days a week is all I really feel up to.

So, I was wondering, how do you manage to pay medical bills while on Disability? I am not fond of bill collectors calling me while I am at work or trying to sleep either!

 

[Freida]

A friend has breast cancer and just found out she qualified for a "Bill forgiveness" from one of the hospitals she was at. I'm not sure of all the details but I know it involved talking with the hospital social worker....

 

[Changing4Best]

Yes, I have been told that Hospital Social Workers can work wonders. However, my Dr. (who I saw there) wants me to "get a real job" and so I doubt that this Hospital I was just in will give me a break of any kind other than whatever I might be eligible for in general.

 

[Sandstone]

Is this a doctor who is qualified to decide whether it is wise for you to return to full time work?

 

[Changing4Best]

My new Psychiatrist. So, in a way, no, because although she is thinking that it would be good for my mind, for my body, due to the Lyme Disease, it could be detrimental. I think what she is thinking is that Social Security is going to go down in flames and that we all will be in a heap of huge trouble, we who are on it. I'm not sure what to think on that last. She voiced that as one of her reasons that I should go back to work, but then added that no one knows what the future will bring....

I have virtually been out of work since 2002 though, so for me to go back to work when I am in my mid-60s is not really realistic either, I think. I mean, as a volunteer, yes, I can handle 3 hours a day. But real part-time work? Nuh UH! Ain't happenin'.

 

[EveHarrington]

Huh?

Mid-60's?

You're already retirement age, or will be within a few years.

I don't think she should be forcing her beliefs upon you-----that social security is going to fail and so you must go work.

 

[Changing4Best]

Thanks, I needed to hear that! @EveHarrington

Really, there would be some money in the coffers, just maybe not as much as was projected, since there are fewer folks in the workforce than should be and also previous administrations have taken money from the SS Trust Fund several times! I hate that last the most. That was OUR money, the people's money, and they STOLE it!!!

 

[Friday]

Yes, I have been told that Hospital Social Workers can work wonders. However, my Dr. (who I saw there) wants me to "get a real job" and so I doubt that this Hospital I was just in will give me a break of any kind

Psychiatric Services & Billing are 2 different departments.

Your doctors opinion only matters to Billing if he/she is paying them for you.

Unless he owns the hospital, he doesn't speak for them, he just works there... And in the wrong department to have any say about your bill. Or the payment plans or programs that you're offered. Social Workers attached to the Billing Dept. whose job is to help patients find resources, and apply for aid, on the other hand? Do.

 

[Changing4Best]

Ah! Good points, @Friday, thanks.

 

[Cannottakethis]

@SheilaKathy, in my state they have something called charity care for people who can’t pay their bills. Perhaps in your state they have something similar.

 

[Changing4Best]

Unfortunately, I live in one of the states that did not expand Medicaid. I have Medicare, thankfully, so 80% is paid. However, I was told by the last Hospital that I stayed in that they don't give charity to folks who have insurance. The first one I was in this time around has a policy that says basically, if you don't owe them at least $1,000.00 (and I just stayed there long enough for them to find me a bed in a mental health unit somewhere) then you don't qualify. So, I doubt that I will qualify for help with their bill.

I had a Hospital ER visit in Sept too, so I will have to pay that bill as well as these ones for now too, UGH!

 

[Snowflakes]

@SheilaKathy you said “mid 60’s” If you’re not past 65 but getting close, consider buying a “Medigap” policy. At age 65, within 6 months, the insurance company cannot underwrite you and they must issue the policy. A Plan F pays 100% of anything that Medicare assigns to you (deductibles and copays). If you’re under 65 and have Medicare due to SSDI, check to see if you live in one of those States that mandate insurers must sell to under 65. Not all do.

My wife is disabled and this is how we pay the bills. As long as a doctor takes Medicare, then Medicare pays their portion and ships the bill off to the insurance company. By law, the insurance company must pay. Depending on the type of policy (A thru N) part or all of your bill is paid.

Before she got this policy, she had run up some bills. We made arrangements to pay them monthly a small amount without interest. Kept the bill collectors from hounding us.

Hope this helps.