Medical bills and deportation threat.

[lizzy33 2]

A debt collector has no bearing on your immigration status - I would immediately file a complaint under the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) and contact the attorney general in the state you are living in, as well as the better business bureau.

But would that still apply if it was the Patient Relations department that made the comment about me being deported?

[Caryh 5,206]

But would that still apply if it was the Patient Relations department that made the comment about me being deported?

Those rules are for debt collection companies, not other companies seeking to collect on a debt owed.

[Boiler 46,362]

You wonder how many Hospitals have Immigration experts working in their Patient Relations department.

[kzielu 1,154]

But would that still apply if it was the Patient Relations department that made the comment about me being deported?

There was at least one story of hospital deporting patient out of US for not paying bills - story was a bit different (dude was an illegal immigrant and was stuck there for a while) and there was a lot of questions whether it was entirely legal, but it did happen.

[Caryh 5,206]

There was at least one story of hospital deporting patient out of US for not paying bills - story was a bit different (dude was an illegal immigrant and was stuck there for a while) and there was a lot of questions whether it was entirely legal, but it did happen.

And you heard this story from a friend of a friend?

[Boiler 46,362]

He was long term comatose, they wanted him out, family agreed I think.

[kzielu 1,154]

And you heard this story from a friend of a friend?

Nice try...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/438267-new-jersey-man-falls-into-coma-wakes-up-in-poland-growing-phenomenon-in-which-uninsured-immigrants-are-deported-by-us-hospitals/

Btw - looking at that thread - completely different tone of responses....

Edited June 2, 2014 by kzielu

[belinda63 3,052]

It is a true story. He was not deported for not paying bills, he was deported because he was illegal.

[lizzy33 2]

Nice try...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/438267-new-jersey-man-falls-into-coma-wakes-up-in-poland-growing-phenomenon-in-which-uninsured-immigrants-are-deported-by-us-hospitals/

Btw - looking at that thread - completely different tone of responses....

Huh! Well I have health insurance now, but of course they won't cover any bills I received BEFORE I got health insurance. When I went to the hospital I told them (before they performed any scans or tests) that I didn't have health insurance and wouldn't be able to afford the bills if they were a lot, but they insisted that they would only be $150 so not to worry. I can't be the first person they've done this to... surely?

[Caryh 5,206]

Nice try...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/438267-new-jersey-man-falls-into-coma-wakes-up-in-poland-growing-phenomenon-in-which-uninsured-immigrants-are-deported-by-us-hospitals/

Btw - looking at that thread - completely different tone of responses....

Wow, I'd certainly wonder about the legality of that. But if they're illegal, how are they going to come back and file a suit? I like how the hospital says it got consent of a comatose person. Why does it not surprise me a hospital would make such a claim absent any evidence to back it up, and contrary to common sense.

[Mela17 36]

Like others are saying, you cannot be deported for not paying a medical bill. As far as I'm aware, late medical bills can be reported to bill collectors, but other than calling you, they can't do anything else to reclaim the debt. I think you'll find that some people think they can magically give themselves deportation powers just by speaking them out loud. What Gloria said to you was rude an uncalled for. Definitely report her.

The next time the collection agency calls, inform them that you are in dispute with the hospital with regard to the bill. This should stop their calls to you. If it doesn't, you can also report them.

Stop talking to Gloria and talk directly to the billing department at the hospital. You are within your rights to request a full itemized listing of all your bills and charges so you can see exactly what they are charging you for.

[lizzy33 2]

Like others are saying, you cannot be deported for not paying a medical bill. As far as I'm aware, late medical bills can be reported to bill collectors, but other than calling you, they can't do anything else to reclaim the debt. I think you'll find that some people think they can magically give themselves deportation powers just by speaking them out loud. What Gloria said to you was rude an uncalled for. Definitely report her.

The next time the collection agency calls, inform them that you are in dispute with the hospital with regard to the bill. This should stop their calls to you. If it doesn't, you can also report them.

Stop talking to Gloria and talk directly to the billing department at the hospital. You are within your rights to request a full itemized listing of all your bills and charges so you can see exactly what they are charging you for.

Thanks for your response! The guy I spoke to from the collection agency was very nice and willing to help us. He spoke to his supervisor to ask what would be the best course of action and we agreed to pay for the amount we were quoted, as we have agreed to do all along, and he was completely fine with that. I'll contact the billing department next to see if they have any clue as to what's going on with our case, seeing as Gloria is about as helpful as a wet sock.

[Mela17 36]

Thanks for your response! The guy I spoke to from the collection agency was very nice and willing to help us. He spoke to his supervisor to ask what would be the best course of action and we agreed to pay for the amount we were quoted, as we have agreed to do all along, and he was completely fine with that. I'll contact the billing department next to see if they have any clue as to what's going on with our case, seeing as Gloria is about as helpful as a wet sock.

If you spoke to someone at the collection agency and the two of you agreed to a payment amount that you are going to pay, the bill is now closed and you do not have to talk to the hospital anymore.

[lizzy33 2]

If you spoke to someone at the collection agency and the two of you agreed to a payment amount that you are going to pay, the bill is now closed and you do not have to talk to the hospital anymore.

Oh no that was just for one of the bills, not for all of them.

[Mela17 36]

Ah, I was hoping it was for all of them. Just a tip, hospital debt collectors tend to be more verbally aggressive as they cannot do anything but talk to you to reclaim the debt. It's not like a car which can be repossessed. One time I had an old medical bill with an outstanding balance that I had forgotten about and I got a call and the lady said "so you don't pay you're bills then?" and I said, "no, not this one" and she said "well we'll report it to your credit as a failure to pay" (just an fyi this is not possible) and I hung up on her. 2 years later it went off my credit report per the 7 year rule.