Medical equipment pricing is completely broken when a sling costs $200

Re:Medical equipment pricing is completely broken when a sli... by inferiorhuman on Friday September 13, 2019 @08:44PM (#20968117)

First, there is no such thing as late fees or interest on a hospital bill.

Sure, just like you can't charge extra for using a credit card in California as payment in most scenarios (you can get a cash discount though). There may not be late fees, but the hospital will absolutely offer to settle for a hefty discount if you pay ASAP.

By the time you get something claiming "PAST DUE" the hospital may be less willing to negotiate.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Medical equipment pricing is completely broken when a sli... by jacobmassey on Friday September 13, 2019 @11:23PM (#20968741)

That’s not necessarily true. They would rather get something than nothing.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Medical equipment pricing is completely broken when a sli... by inferiorhuman on Saturday September 14, 2019 @12:35AM (#20968939)

That’s not necessarily true. They would rather get something than nothing.

Who said anything about getting nothing? If the hospital sells your debt to a collection agency they get something. If the hospital deals with it in house they can act like UVA[1] and sue you to garnish your wages or take out a lien on your property. Playing chicken with the hospital billing department is a bad way to deal with medical debt.

1: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/uva-has-ruined-us-heal...

[ Parent | on HN ]