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
