Hospital bill from holidays

Slattsy

Hi.
I was on a weekend away last year in Luxembourg. I was taken ill one night, and as a precaution I went to the hospital just to be safe.

I was put on a drip and some tests later I was free to go. But I had little cash on me and they wanted to charge me 400e.
I was going home the following day and I said I'd return to pay the bill but I didn't. I didn't have time.
They took my passport details though.

I received a letter from some financial institution basically informing me that I should pay asap or risk further financial cost and possible prosecution for nonsettlement.

I probably shouldn't ignore this, so should I just pay up.

Or can I simply forget about it as it's a different country and they can't do too much.

ABajaninCork

You availed of the service. Pay the bill!

Did you not have an E111 card?

Slattsy

I don't want to say why but for a period of time last year I had no insurance cover of any kind.

Irony.

ABajaninCork

An E111 (the name's changed, but can't remember the new name) doesn't always entitle you to free medical care. I think in the case of Luxembourg, medical care is discounted, but isn't free AFAIK.

That's why you should never just rely on the E111 and take out travel insurance when going abroad.

ABajaninCork

ABajaninCork wrote: »

An E111 (the name's changed, but can't remember the new name) doesn't always entitle you to free medical care. I think in the case of Luxembourg, medical care is discounted, but isn't free AFAIK.

That's why you should never just rely on the E111 and take out travel insurance when going abroad.

You're right. It entitles you to pay the same for healthcare as residents of that state. I asked the question because it's possible that he may have been charged a full rate when a discount may be available.

Slattsy

Just pay the bill before I get threatened with a trip to Luxembourg to face a judge right?

Or will it go away if I leave it. Ie will they forget about me lol

ABajaninCork

Slattsy wrote: »

Just pay the bill before I get threatened with a trip to Luxembourg to face a judge right?

Or will it go away if I leave it. Ie will they forget about me lol

Why don't you want to pay the bill? Why should you have expensive hospital treatment for free? If you can't afford it in one lump, then write to the hospital offering installments.

As a matter of interest. Did you know that a debt incurred in the EU can be chased? They're unlikely to take you to court, but legally they can chase you for the money here (as you've discovered).

Slattsy

ABajaninCork wrote: »

Why don't you want to pay the bill? Why should you have expensive hospital treatment for free? If you can't afford it in one lump, then write to the hospital offering installments.

As a matter of interest. Did you know that a debt incurred in the EU can be chased? They're unlikely to take you to court, but legally they can chase you for the money here (as you've discovered).

I'm just chancing my arm.

Still reeling from the cost tbh. Seemed steep. But such is life.

I fforgot to mention that the doctor that seen me requested a fee upfront of 120e. The final bill is jhospital charges.

ABajaninCork

I think you've got a nerve!

If you think the cost of a drip, meds and the hospital is steep at E400, you'd better hope and pray that you don't get sick in the US or the Caribbean with no insurance...

Sorry to be so harsh, but really!! It's not rocket science. If you don't want medical bills on holiday, then get an E111 (if in Europe) and take out travel insurance. It only costs a few quid.

Penny wise and pound foolish OP.

Nino Brown

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I think you've got a nerve!

If you think the cost of a drip, meds and the hospital is steep at E400, you'd better hope and pray that you don't get sick in the US or the Caribbean with no insurance...

.

I spent a night in hospital in the US about 3 weeks ago, I just got the bill, it was 17,900. Luckily I had insurance, so OP should count yourself lucky, E400 is really not a bad deal.