Need Advice

So, two months ago I had to go to the emergency room because I was having an asthma attack with a cold. I basically was sick and couldn't breath.

I don't have insurance and I can barely pay for expenses now. So, I made an appointment to the financial center for assistance.

The representative not only was interrogating me but was giving me an attitude. She asked me if I lived with family and I told her I don't which I really do not. I live with my boyfriend but I didn't think that was any of her business who I live with. Then, she was like how do you pay for bills any expenses? I told her my family helps me to cover for expenses and I have odd jobs getting paid cash.

So, then she asked me if I had a bank account and savings. Which I lied about and told her that I didn't because I didn't want them putting a judgment on me and pursing my bank for money.

Now they want a tax servicer to make a statement on what I make and all of these troubles. I don't know what to do. I really can't afford to pay my medical bill and I need this financial assistance to reduce costs. My boyfriend basically told me to just ignore it but they took a photo copy of my state ID, so now I'm screwed. Did anyone have to apply for financial assistance through a hospital and what did you need to do?

You're not going to like what I'm going to say, but by your own admission, you're lying to her about your assets and saying it's none of her business who you live with and your household income when you're the one asking them to essentially give you money to pay your bills. Granted, healthcare costs are high, but that's another debate. As it remains, you got a service that you haven't paid for. In their eye, they had doctors that they pay $2000 a shift along with nurses, receptionists, etc. working and you haven't paid them, so you can't blame them for wanting to make sure you're not trying to pull a fast one on them.

Here is what will happen if you just ignore it. You'll get letters then after a few months, it goes to a collection agency where they will call and harass you for a while. Best case is that your credit will get screwed. Worst case, the hospital will sue you and it will reinforce the stereotype that all illegals come here for free medical care when hard working Americans can't afford it.

If it was just one visit, how much are we talking about? $1000? $1500? When you don't have it, it seems like a lot but paying it would still be better than chocking to death I would think so if it were me, I'd pay it and I have before. If you really can't afford it then I'd go back and come clean and even if they don't take off too much from it, at least get a payment plan.

Also, for the future, establish a relationship with a primary care physician so you can see them when you first start having issues and it's not an emergency. Even for minor emergencies (as in you didn't break a bone or stabbed yourself) a lot of PCP's can give you emergency appointments on the day something is wrong. I had a root canal that had gone bad and my dentist was closed and I was in tears from 48 hours of intense pain and swelling I was about to go to one of those $500 urgent care centers but got lucky and my own $65 doctor made room for me that day.

Or listen to your boyfriend. What evs.

I fully understand that. The way it was handled was terrible. She should have just said, this is what we need from you and I would have happily supplied it. However, she made it seem as if I were Warren Buffet trying to scheme the system. I wouldn't be applying for financial assistance if I genuinely didn't need it.

Here's the situation, it's already embarrassing having to apply for financial assistance but for someone to pry all of your personal information from you, frankly took me by surprise. I didn't expect it and maybe that's why I lied. Just how people lie about their status, because it's an embarrassing situation. I already felt terrible about it.

I didn't want to involve my boyfriend because we're not married. I didn't want to burden him with having to deal with the medical bill, if they decided to go after him for the bill.

Thanks for your advice.