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Justin Said:

Who is the right agency to call for help?

We Answered:

Registered Nurse here; I would start at the county courthouse, in the county in which your sister lives. This is where indigent funds are kept, and vouchers given to people with such urgent medical care as she need. Furthermore, the American Cancer Society, may be able to assist. Also talk to the Doctor, I cannot remember a case that a patient wasn't treated for cancer, due to inability to pay. There is also Medicaid, which sounds as if your sister would qualify. Also call local cancer society chapter. Your sister needs emotional support and financial assistance desperately. She should not have to wait on red tape for treatment to began. This is a sensitive and difficult question, I appreciate the opportunity to address it.

Dana Said:

Who or what agency can you contact if you feel a Virginia hospital has overcharged you?

We Answered:

The nurses and the billing department run a hospital. The amount billed seems insane to me. I assume they thought it was an insurance case or government program so the payer was not a real person. I would ask for meeting to mitigate the amount of the bill to conform with the standards in the normal course of medical practice. I really cannot imagine the figure 62K but the medical community is so exalted by the public that you look like the bad guy as the executor. I would seek guidance from the Virginia equivalent of the Health Cost Review Authority that exists in my state. The State Health Dept. of Virginia should point you to some mediation board. I would like to think that the adminstrator of the hospital would compromise the bill. You could talk to a lawyer; but, I would talk with the hospital pressure point. It could be a nurse or the hospital administrator. I am certain that the doctor has little or no concern about your problem. I am not familar with a doctor who has a genuine interest in a patient. Your doctor here may be the exception but that is only 6K. You are talking about 68K total?

Daniel Said:

I have a problem paying this bill... I can't find work... What do I do?

We Answered:

give them a call and relate your situation to them....arrange for a smaller repayment amount....other than that...perhaps ask them if they have a hospital affiliate in your area and then get the number to their hiring department...then go apply......

another suggestion is to apply for cash aid/medical in your state...if you are approved for medical they sometimes make the back payments for your care to the hospital who treated you....dont waste time though....they only go back so many months....