ULPT Advice: left the U.S. - should I pay medical bills?
Posted by littletinychicken@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Just received what I swear is like the fourth fucking bill from a doctor I went to once (was sent to my family’s address I use for mail in the states) and it’s for $220. I’ve already paid this office multiple times for the procedure, but they keep sending adjustments for some reason. I will not be returning to the state where they are located and have completely moved out of the U.S. months ago. I’m even changing my phone number soon. Is there any reason why I should pay this bill? Or am I fine to just ignore it?
Strength_Various@reddit
If you don’t need credit you even don’t have to leave the country. The record only stays for 7 years.
norf9@reddit
Since it's below $500 it won't even show up on your credit report anymore
redditvato@reddit
From Google. Credit Reporting: Most negative information, including unpaid debts and accounts in collections, is removed from your credit reports after 7 years, thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Do as you will with this information.
pinetreeclimbing@reddit
Medical debt doesn't go on credit reports.
variousnewbie@reddit
YES it does.
pinetreeclimbing@reddit
Not once in my life has it ever.
variousnewbie@reddit
That says new rule. I'll have to look into it. My credit is covered in medical bills.
The absolute worst, are the ambulance rides. Medicaid rules are if you're admitted to the hospital they cover the ride. So irregardless of how much that ride was needed to save your life, if you're not admitted it's not paid for. To get even more confusing, major hospitals can do 1 of three things, 1 hold patients in the er for the entirety of their stay, 2 admit them to the observation unit, or 3 admit them to a hospital floor unit. If 1 or 2 happens, medicaid denies the fee.
I've had an ambulance ride for anaphylaxis, breathing was hitting 77 on pulse Ox when they interviened. Another, I had a seizure and I had to have a roomie call for me because I didn't know how to call as I stared at the phone. These and others were absolutely required for an ambulance to save my life. And yet, they were not paid for by medicaid because I was kept in the ER, or admitted to observation room, which made medicaid flat out deny the charges as not covered. $3k medical charges.
I've got a lot more of medical charges ruining my credit, but these are some of the worst.
eatingganesha@reddit
Dasrule@reddit
People who live in the us don’t pay their medical bills so I can’t imagine bothering to pay medical bills for someone who doesn’t.