MEDICAL BILLS...

[ratpynn 0]

My fiancee arrived here in January and has ended up in the hospital on 2 separate occasions in the last month...my question is, even though we are not married yet, who is responsible for these bills (totalling approximately 20k!!!)? Her, myself, both of us? I just wonder if anyone else here has found themselves in a similar situation, we are both unsure as to what to do next, haven't had much of a chance to even think of starting the AOS paperwork so that we can file by the 90 day time frame...any ideas anyone? Help!

[ceriserose 1]

I'm sorry, but is this question for real?

Presumably if she's your fiancee, she's here on a K1 and doesn't have work authorization. Also presumably she doesn't have a job if in the past 6 weeks she's been hospitalized twice. If she does have a job, chances are there will be a break of time in her employment when her status is changing (sometimes EAD comes through in time, most often not). I'm assuming neither of you is wealthy otherwise you wouldn't be asking this question.

So, as your future wife who is at this point dependent on you, who pays the bill?

Or am I missing something here?

[tracyandoksana 0]

My fiancee arrived here in January and has ended up in the hospital on 2 separate occasions in the last month...my question is, even though we are not married yet, who is responsible for these bills (totalling approximately 20k!!!)? Her, myself, both of us? I just wonder if anyone else here has found themselves in a similar situation, we are both unsure as to what to do next, haven't had much of a chance to even think of starting the AOS paperwork so that we can file by the 90 day time frame...any ideas anyone? Help!

You might want to think about Marrying Your Fiance in order to do an AOS. Real simple answer YOU are responsible for Your Fiaces medical bills. Remember the affidavit of support You signed in front of a notary.

Tracy

[Peggy 1]

I would say there both of your bills. She is going to be your wife.

[luv2teach77 41]

Dude,

Regardless of if you're married or not yet, if you're planning on marrying this girl how can you even suggest that these bills might be considered "hers".

You have signed an affidavit so whether you feel you should be helping her pay for the bills or not, you better start doing so. Whatever happened to "whats yours is mine and what's mine is yours" !!

Mark

P.S I hope your Fiancee gets better soon

[hcj 0]

If she is a citizen of a country like Sweden, it is possible that she may still be partially covered by her home government if they do not consider her as having emigrated yet. Check that angle first.

Failing that, (from a legal standpoint) I think she will be personally responsible for the bills. She is not going to get any government assistance (from MedicAid for example) because that is why you had to sign an affidavit of support -- to ensure she does not become a public charge.

She may be able to declare bankruptcy on her own and not drag your credit into it since you aren't married yet. IMO you should either talk to the hospital and see what kind of payment arrangement you can make, or talk to a bankruptcy lawyer.

I don't need to tell you that bankruptcy will stay on her credit for a long time and will really suck, and that if at all possible, you should negotiate payment terms with the hospital. And of course, you should help her with the bills.

EDITED for missing word

Edited February 17, 2006 by hcj

[Kajikit 65]

Since you're not married yet, legally the bills are her responsibility. But ethically and from every other standpoint they're BOTH OF YOURS. She's left her home country and her job (if she had one) and whatever assets she had to come to the US and start a new life with you and atm she is dependent on you to support her... which includes paying unexpected medical bills.

I know it doesn't help you now, but this is one reason that travellers insurance or temporary immigrant insurance is a necessity, not a luxury...

And as to what to do now I'd suggest that you hurry up and get married, and talk to the hospital about a payment plan. Or else if you've BOTH decided that marriage isn't a good thing, buy her a plane ticket home and the hospital will eventually write the bills off as a bad debt.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

OMG I cant belive you are having to ask who is responsible for paying her medical bills..... YOU ARE...

I would think if she has been ill the last thing she needs is to have to worry about how she is going to cover her bills....

do the right thing and get it sorted....

Kezzie