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Bankruptcy and health care

By Anonymous September 14, 2011 - 8:07pm
 
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i'm considering filing for bankruptcy because of the costs of a recent two-week hospital stay. i am on medicare and was denied state services. i was diagnosed with a heart condition and am worried bankruptcy could impact future emergency hospital care? can I be denied treatment or receive lesser treatment if i've filed for bankruptcy? what are my other options?

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Rosa Cabrera RN
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Hi Anonymous,

I'm so sorry you have to file for bankruptcy due to a recent healthcare stay. Nobody should have to be forced to do this. However, in the United States, it is against the law to be discriminated against in the ER due to your bankruptcy status.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a U.S. Act of Congress passed in 1986 as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). It requires hospitals and ambulance services to provide care to anyone needing emergency healthcare treatment regardless of citizenship, legal status or ability to pay.

If you need to be seen by a doctor in an office setting, then you should be covered by your medicare.

Another option other than bankruptcy is to consolidate all of your loans. This will do less damage to your credit and will allow you to get back on track with your credit much sooner than filing for bankruptcy.

Wishing you the best,

Rosa

September 15, 2011 - 6:43am

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