Question
QUESTION: Hello Tricia,
My parents were visiting us in US and my father had a heart attack and had to be operated (state of Virginia). The hospital bills are more than 75K and it seems that the travel insurance from India has rejected the claims making it as "pre-existing".
My Dad is back in India and is trying to work with the Indian insurance company, however the ins company as of date has not sent any written letter denying the claim. They have informed us over the phone. My dad has sent them multiple reminnders but the indian insurance company has not responded.
We have received bills from the hospital, doctor office as well as letters from collection as he had given my address. We did inform the hospital etc by phone that my Dad is no longer in US and they should reach him in India and take our address out. The hospital etc are refusing to take out our address. Neither us nor our Dad can afford paying the bills. We are very worried as to what we should do and we need your advice?
- Is it worth to negotiate as we do not want my Dad to have problems later down the road when he comes back to US or if we plan to apply for his GC. Can we negotiate even though some of the bills are in collection.
- Can they come after us? We have not signed any documents while my dad got admitted. Can they come after my Dad in India?
Please advice what we should do.
ANSWER: Hi Pinky!
None of these bills are your responsibility. You are not liable for your parents bills. So insist when they call to not contact you and to contact your Dad.
I would let his insurance do their thing and hopefully pay.
I am unsure if it would affect him if he visits again. I am sure if he does not pay the hospital he would not be allowed to use their services in the future but probably all they can do I would think.
They can chase your Dad in India but I guess it depends if they want to. The bill is pretty high so they may try however without insurance I am sure they know that a person can not afford this type of bill.
Good Luck!
Tricia
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello Tricia
Thank you so much for your reply. It really means a lot to us. I had some more questions which will really help me to take the next right steps:
1.Should I simply ignore all the letters from the collection agencies and the hospital and doctors office etc and inform them that my dad has gone back to India and they should not to contact me and contact my dad.
2.Should I ask my dad to also call or send an official letter to all the collection notices and hospital and doctor offices stating that he has gone back to India and is trying his best to work with the insurance company and provide them with the new India address?
3.Should my dad attempt to try for charity with the hospital while he is still trying to reach out to the insurance company in India. Is asking for charity in anyway make him officially liable for the bill?
Sorry for so many questions. We do not want to run away from the problem however my dad cannot afford such an amount and hence we really need your advice.
Thanks again,
Pinky.
Answer
Regarding your questions:
1. Yes-------any letters that come to your home, return to them unopened with a note that your father has returned home and they should send all bills directly to him. Also advise the agency to delete your information off their records and ask them not to contact you anymore.
2. Yes
3. I would definitely tell your father to apply for charity care while the insurance company is
fighting. Can not hurt. Asking for help to pay the bill does not make him more liable than he is currently. He had the services provided and signed all paperwork so he is 100% liable already.
You are welcome!! Good Luck!
Tricia
