Hello! When I came home from Mexico after my surgery eariler this year I got sick and had to go to the ER. I am getting the bills now and I owe almost $800 (it's sad, nothing was even wrong with me), my mom is telling me if I go offer to pay it all up front then sometimes they will take up to half off. Has anyone tried this before? Just wondering before I go in there and ask. Thanks

Cant hurt to ask - worst they can do is say no.

YES! The lady from the hospital called about a $1200 bill I owed after the birth of my son. There was no way I was coughing up all of that at once. I also had some smaller lab bills and other things to pay, so I requested to be put on a payment plan, which is also a good option. They HAVE to take your money, even if it's just $20 a month. As long as you pay what you promise every month, they'll take it and can't turn you over to Collections. Anyhow, after I requested the payments, she offered to cut the bill in half if I paid the balance within 2 weeks. So, 1200 bucks of debt turn into 600 I had to drum up within 2 weeks. I took it and ran, got the $$ somehow and paid up.

If I were you, I'd make the call and request a payment plan, see what they say, and simply ask if they don't offer. Say, "you know, I could pay this entire bill next week if it were only $400" Make them an offer. If the bill is past due enough, I'll bet they work with you. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

YES! Call them and ask what you need to pay if you can pay it all right now. I had about $4000 in bills from an emergency abcess draining, (a little surgery and an overnight stay). I called up and it was cut to about $1500.

As long as your attempting to pay, they can not send you to a collection agency (if I'm not mistaken). I don't know if they will take 1/2 off the bill but you can arrange a payment plan like Kathy said.

Good Luck !!!

I called this billing dept. this morning and she said they don't have a payment plan, but if I pay in the next 10 days I can get a big 20% off!! So I asked her what if I just make payments and she said if it's not paid in full in 90 days it will be taken to collections. I don't know if this is true. I've heard as long as I pay something I can't be taken to collections. Thanks for your replys

I called this billing dept. this morning and she said they don't have a payment plan, but if I pay in the next 10 days I can get a big 20% off!! So I asked her what if I just make payments and she said if it's not paid in full in 90 days it will be taken to collections. I don't know if this is true. I've heard as long as I pay something I can't be taken to collections. Thanks for your replys

My grandmother has owed $10,000 to the hospital for years now. She pays $5.00/month and they're unable to send it to collection department...

Do they offer free care? If they take any state or federal money they must offer free care to people who meet a certian income limit (sometimes these limits are a lot higher than you would expect).

Good luck,