Consequence of not paying medical bill?

mr_fegelien

Hello,

I was wondering what are the consequences of not paying a medical bill. I was thinking of going to the hospital (not on death's door but feel uneasy) but the cost has prevented me. I'm not working at the moment and I'm about to begin college. Family is also in debt.

A friend told me to chance it and just go and get treated. He says that when the bills come, just ignore them and pay them within 6 months to a year.

I've read up online and apparently nothing can really happen to you legally if you don't pay your bill. You just get debt collectors harassing you until you pay.

Is this true or not?

con747

Handed to debt collectors and possibly bad credit ratings to mess up your future loan attempts.

mr_fegelien

con747 wrote: »

Handed to debt collectors and possibly bad credit ratings to mess up your future loan attempts.

But that's it, nothing else? No being summoned to a court and a judge forcing me to pay?

That doesn't sound too bad to be fair.

con747

mr_fegelien wrote: »

But that's it, nothing else? No being summoned to a court and a judge forcing me to pay?

That doesn't sound too bad to be fair.

That would be up to the debt collectors if they pursue you through the courts for a judgement. It might not be too bad if you never want to get a mortgage or loan for a good few years.

nuac

People seeking hospital care usually do so on advice of their doctor

Public or private?


If you're arranging a private consultation, you usually have to pay up front before you get past the secretary.

banie01

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Public or private?

If its public there is usually no charge?

If you're arranging a private consultation, you usually have to pay up front before you get past the secretary.

For Public there is the €100 A+E charge and in addition the per night charge of €80 up to a maximum of €800 per 12 months.

As an aside, with this OP?
We're they not banned from Legal Discussion? Or am I misremembering?

banie01

banie01 wrote: »

For Public there is the €100 A+E charge and in addition the per night charge of €80 up to a maximum of €800 per 12 months.

As an aside, with this OP?
We're they not banned from Legal Discussion? Or am I misremembering?

You are correct, which is why I edited my original post.

Springfields

You know you cant just walk into a hospital and be treated ? You either present through a&e and are triaged or get referred through your gp... have you seen your gp already ?

mr_fegelien

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Hello,

I was wondering what are the consequences of not paying a medical bill. I was thinking of going to the hospital (not on death's door but feel uneasy) but the cost has prevented me. I'm not working at the moment and I'm about to begin college. Family is also in debt.

A friend told me to chance it and just go and get treated. He says that when the bills come, just ignore them and pay them within 6 months to a year.

I've read up online and apparently nothing can really happen to you legally if you don't pay your bill. You just get debt collectors harassing you until you pay.

Is this true or not?

Wowsers. One can just rock up to a hospital and request treatment?

un5byh7sqpd2x0

con747 wrote: »

Handed to debt collectors and possibly bad credit ratings to mess up your future loan attempts.

A debt like this doesn’t effect your credit rating, but they might make an exception given its mr_fegelien

gozunda

Im presuming you dont have a medical card?

The following should answer your questions

https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/patient-care/hospital-charges/

Credit Checker Moose

Deleted User wrote: »

Wowsers. One can just rock up to a hospital and request treatment?

In some countries you can. It's so handy.

mr_fegelien

Deleted User wrote: »

Wowsers. One can just rock up to a hospital and request treatment?

By rock up to hospital I mean just wait patiently like others and get a test. I don't mean actually demand for this treatment but as I said, at the moment I'm completely broke and have no money until 6 months-1 year.

Can I wait patiently in any A&E and get tested while get treatment?

The fact is I'll probably need dialysis and an MRI/CT scan, if the doctors give me dialysis as well as use any diagnostic machinery on myself, will I be charged for that as well or just get the standard charge per night?

I remember when I went to Beaumont hospital after drinking methanol and stayed there for a week last April. I thought I'd have gotten a hefty bill as the antidote for it was fomepizole, something very expensive per gram (€1,000 per dose) I was given 6 to 8 doses. Luckily, VHI paid for it and it was only €200 and I didn't pay anything.

Hoping to dodge any bill in this case.

con747

Celine Teeny Greens wrote: »

A debt like this doesn’t effect your credit rating, but they might make an exception given its mr_fegelien

If they get a court judgement will that not affect your rating?

mr_fegelien

mr_fegelien wrote: »

By rock up to hospital I mean just wait patiently like others and get a test. I don't mean actually demand for this treatment but as I said, at the moment I'm completely broke and have no money until 6 months-1 year.

Can I wait patiently in any A&E and get tested while get treatment?

The fact is I'll probably need dialysis and an MRI/CT scan, if the doctors give me dialysis as well as use any diagnostic machinery on myself, will I be charged for that as well or just get the standard charge per night?

I remember when I went to Beaumont hospital after drinking methanol and stayed there for a week last April. I thought I'd have gotten a hefty bill as the antidote for it was fomepizole, something very expensive per gram (€1,000 per dose) I was given 6 to 8 doses. Luckily, VHI paid for it and it was only €200 and I didn't pay anything.

Hoping to dodge any bill in this case.

You’ve got a very fertile imagination! You should take up writing.

Osborne

But you have money to buy a Dyson heater.

I know what I'd spend my money on if I were genuinely sick.

mr_fegelien

Deleted User wrote: »

You’ve got a very fertile imagination! You should take up writing.

Imagination???

here's the link if you don't believe me.

mr_fegelien

Osborne wrote: »

But you have money to buy a Dyson heater.

I know what I'd spend my money on if I were genuinely sick.

No I don't. My father will get one for the family during Christmas. But as I said, money is tight around the house.

Truthvader

What about paying what you owe (even if it takes time) like a decent person and not being a scumbag?

rodDaly69

Go. go. Go.

Was hospitalised for a few days before. Hadn't the money to pay. Never paid. Received the bill a few times before I was finally told the debt had been sent to a collection agency. Never heard anything more.

Have since availed of multiple forms of credit, no problem. Doesn't show up on my credit reports.

Of course your mileage may vary, but **** it. What good is a decent credit rating if you're seriously unwell or dead.

mr_fegelien

Truthvader wrote: »

What about paying what you owe (even if it takes time) like a decent person and not being a scumbag?

Come on now.. It's avoiding a hospital debt not robbing a purse from a granny. Big difference.

If it's legal, it's not scumbag behavior.

Mod
Yes it is

Wesser

Your kidney function looks ok to me on that report. Dont think youll be needing dialysis any time soon

Please go to AE if you are very unwell.... im not really sure the emergency dept is the right place to go just because you feel.uneasy. its a precious resource that we should use only if necessary

peter4918

What is it with the leeches in this country expecting everything for free, money is tight everywhere but If you use the medical services and get a bill just pay it. Money well spent in my eyes. Why run the risk of getting black listed. Get medical insurance, pays for itself in the long run.

Bmw123d

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Imagination???

here's the link if you don't believe me.

Is this person for real.
By the way u need to ring a doctor first and get referred which is also free.
If u rock up to the hospital unless ur very sick saying u have whatever symptoms of Covid 19 u think you have the first thing there gona do is isolate you. As I said unless ur very sick I doubt you will get seen very soon.

Anyways I break my backside do people like you can get a free ride.
Rant over

nuac

Mod
Suspected troll.
This man should not be allowed waste the the time of hospital staff

mr_fegelien

nuac wrote: »

Mod
Suspected troll.
This man should not be allowed waste the the time of hospital staff

I'm not actually a troll. I know I may be a bit eccentric but trust me, I came down with something during the pandemic. I'm broke at the moment so I was wondering if I should go to a hospital or not.

Again, I may have weird posts but I'm not trolling