Question
Hello Tricia,
I am Helen,from Europe.I was a participant of Work and Travel program and worked in the USA,MA state, during summer 2009.
In the middle of July I got my ankles injured at job.Firstly,my left ankle started to swell,and getting blue,I could hardly make a step.My manager advised me to go to the Emergency.I had X-ray there and some consultation with the physician.Everything was fine with the bones,nothing was broken.After all the doctor couldn't help me get better,cause she didn't know exactly why I had such complication.So I just went home.
Unfortunately,In a couple of weeks my right ankle started to swell the same way,and it was very painful to walk.My manager had brought me to the Emergency room.I had to wait 2 hours till the physician visited me.He told me I had a kind of allergy,but I had never had any allergy,it's impossible.He prescribed me some drugs,but it didn't help me at all.I had to take a couple of days off and started to get better.At the financial department the lady told me that I would have to pay the deductible of 250$ per visit,after processing the claims.
So,I went back home in Europe in the beginning of September and received the bills from the Emergency.The amount is very big.I have to pay - $2400.
I've completed the claim forms and mailed them to the Insurance company.But the point is that I've got the Past Due Notice from the Hospital,where it's written :"your account is pending for credit review".I've contacted the Insurance company and they told me the claims were being processed,and I would be receiving the explanation of benefits showing if they had paid or not my bills.
I am really confused now,I am just a student,have no any income.My manager would never pay this money for me,though the injury happened at work.
What if the insurance company refuses to pay my bills.
What should I do?I am still studying at the University and have no any money.What did the Hospital mean saying that my account was pending for credit review? If I don't pay now,what can they do to me?
Please assist me in this case,need an advice.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Regards,
Helen.
Answer
Hi Helen!
You need to push your insurance carrier to process these bills for you. Call them weekly until they pay them. I see no reason why they would not. You just need to push them a bit.
Then if they do not pay I would contact the Manager to see if she would help. Perhaps they have a workers insurance plan for the company. Worth a shot to ask.
If no one will pay then you are responsible. However you can usually negotiate with a hospital and get the amount reduced.
Good Luck!
Tricia
