Hello friends
I am on travel visa to US B1/B2 for a post graduation as a doctor.I had travel insurance during which I suffered an injury and had to make an emergency visit.The hospital kept on sending me the bills but since I am not earning I can’t pay the bills.Now they’v forwarded the case to a collecting agency.The hospital people have my passport no. and insurance details page.The insurance people ask me to pay it and then claim it which never works(as its from India).I am scared at this letter.Can they file a case against me?Can it affect my career?Should I call them up or just keep ignoring it?Should I tell someone to call and say I have moved places and they dont know where I am now.Its a 1000 USD bill and I really cant pay it since I dont earn.Everyone I am asking says ignore it.M confused??((
Please help
Not a good idea to ignore it as this will make it impossible to dispute or negotiate later on and hospitals are extremely aggressive with collections now.
You said you had travel insurance. I do not understand why they are not paying something–contact the insurance company with the hospital bill info and ask them to resolve the issue.
If it’s a typical insurance policy they should end up paying next to nothing, you probably will owe a couple hundred, and the rest is written off “per the contract.” You could work out a payment plan for whatever your co-pay is, but you need to get the insurance to do their job.
You really should call the hospital, explain your situation, and ask if there is anything they can do for you. At the least, they will set you up on a payment plan. They may even write off the charge.
Yes they can sue you. If you hope to work in the USA, it will affect your career. Call them up and work out a payment plan – if you can’t legally work here in the US, you’ll have to figure out some way to make an extra $100 a month to pay them off.
If you get reported as missing from where you’re supposed to be, you’ll be turned in to the Department of Homeland Security, and if/when they find you, you’ll get deported.
If you ignore it, it’s not going to go away. I’d find a way to make $100 a month for ten months (maybe tutoring?) and take care of it.
Do the right thing.
Most travel insurance policies are reimbursement only as a way to mitigate false claims. Call the hospital and explain your situation. They may reduce the amount you owe, let you pay them back after you travel to India, or wave the claim. You are only digging a deeper hole if you ignore it.