Went to ER.

So I had an accident and I had to go to the ER. I'm fine now, but I got a ridiculous 5500 bill because it was a minor accident. I was there less than an hour, and I can't afford it. I can barely afford tuition. What can I do? Will it affect my credit if I don't pay it?

what kind of accident? just curious. 5K? that's what's wrong with the healthcare system

What state are you in? Can you go to a catholic charity?

5k sounds about right. The whole ER thing costs a lot. I have health insurance and still had to pay a lot for an ER visit few years back. Did they take you by ambulance? Because that is very expensive too!

Ouch, it sucks for sure. I had surgery 4 years ago as an outpatient procedure and i was only there for 5 hours tops, cost me 13k.

I would suggest you look into if the hospital you were seen at has some kind of Charity Care program or some kind of help for low income people. Having unpaid medical bills sucks and eventually they could be sent to collection agencies so maybe try figuring out something before then. Either by small monthly payments or if they have some kind of help at the hospital.

Definitely talk to the financial advisers at the hospital as soon as possible. I was in a similar situation as you a year ago (started vomiting blood, went to the ER, got hospitalized for 2 days, got hit with a $40,000 hospital bill), and after giving them a year's worth of bank account transaction information they agreed to "finance" my bill 100%. I paid $550 for the ER doctor's fee (since the hospital hired an outside group of ER physicians) and that was it.

What the hell are you talking about? How's that "that's what's wrong with the health care system..." You wanna pay doctors min wage so you can have a shortage and dumb ass unqualified doctors? The medical field being very lucrative draws innovation and competition between the best doctors..

What state are you in I have emergency medical and it covers the e.r

Plus, we live in a CAPITALIST society. You want subsidized healthcare? Go to Europe. Or South America. Or Cuba.

Can't get blood from a turnip. Talk to the hospital's financial department and work something out. Maybe there is a charity or a payment plan. If you run out on the bill, your credit will be absolutely fucked and they may take you to court too.

Whose fault was the accident? Any chance the car insurance can cover you?