Health care question? What if ?

[Jim Smith]

What if I went to the hospital for an serious ailment and only said I had Medicare and no other coverage. Would they take care of me? Also when it comes to billing me later I have no other discretionary dollars and that all the money I get each month is totally spent to live and there is nothing remaining. Hmmmm.

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Around here, they can not deny you service, or turn you away. What happens when/if you dont pay the bill, I dont have an answer for that one.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

A friend of mine in WA state, has only Medicare, 80 something years old. I had to take him to the emergency room one night, NO problems at all. Plus, there is a Federal Law that hospitals must provide medical care regardless of $$$$$$$ available.

 

[BrianJ]

Its part of the Hipocratic Oath that all doctors must adhere to, they cannot deny service over prospect of payment...

 

[bheiting]

Google Medicare

 

[Ken55]

a woman in my town is in the same predicament. the hosp will bill you for any balance medicare doesn't cover. if you do have to pay the balance as long as you can show you make a good faith payment, no matter the amount, the hosp. can't force you to sell your home or vehicle or make it so you can't eat or pay your other necessary bills. as much as they would like to get their $$.

what's really shocking is the difference in cost a person without insurance is charged for services vs. what the insurance companies pay for the same services. make sure the hosp knows that you know that fact.
best of luck,
ken