It's not an understatement that medical bills, more than any other debt, can literally drain you financially and emotionally.
Not only will you have to deal with a loved one in pain, but also how to raise the money to pay hospital expenses.
Before pushing that button on bankruptcy however, it's good to try government assistance first in form of grants medical bills.
The federal government has such a program which any American is entitled to.
In addition, state governments have their own grants medical bills programs to so it's advised that you approach your local official to inquire whether you are eligible.
Understand though that state programs have limited resources so there are certain requirements in order for you to avail and poor families are usually prioritized, that means you have to prepare for disappointment nevertheless.
If you do qualify with the stringent screening process, the federal government will shoulder your expenses for emergency care, prescription and maintenance drugs, dental and vision surgery, psychiatric treatment, and even pay for rehab for your alcohol or drug addiction.
The best thing about these grants medical bills programs is you don't have to pay back the government.
This is a financial assistance, not a loan.
The worst thing probably is the delay in release of money.
You are dealing with a bureaucracy, after all, so it may take a few months from the time your application is approved.
So don't forget to coordinate with your hospital about your situation so the billing department will not send over your debts to a collection agency.
Once they do that, you are dealing with a whole another monster and it's not assured that the collection agency will be as accommodating to wait for a few months without incurring high interest rates and surcharges.
You can apply online using downloadable forms from the US Department of Health and Human Services, for example, which has around 300 programs to help families in need.
Or you can ask your hospital for help.
The billing department should be able to guide you on the process of applying for the federal grants medical bills program.
Not only will you have to deal with a loved one in pain, but also how to raise the money to pay hospital expenses.
Before pushing that button on bankruptcy however, it's good to try government assistance first in form of grants medical bills.
The federal government has such a program which any American is entitled to.
In addition, state governments have their own grants medical bills programs to so it's advised that you approach your local official to inquire whether you are eligible.
Understand though that state programs have limited resources so there are certain requirements in order for you to avail and poor families are usually prioritized, that means you have to prepare for disappointment nevertheless.
If you do qualify with the stringent screening process, the federal government will shoulder your expenses for emergency care, prescription and maintenance drugs, dental and vision surgery, psychiatric treatment, and even pay for rehab for your alcohol or drug addiction.
The best thing about these grants medical bills programs is you don't have to pay back the government.
This is a financial assistance, not a loan.
The worst thing probably is the delay in release of money.
You are dealing with a bureaucracy, after all, so it may take a few months from the time your application is approved.
So don't forget to coordinate with your hospital about your situation so the billing department will not send over your debts to a collection agency.
Once they do that, you are dealing with a whole another monster and it's not assured that the collection agency will be as accommodating to wait for a few months without incurring high interest rates and surcharges.
You can apply online using downloadable forms from the US Department of Health and Human Services, for example, which has around 300 programs to help families in need.
Or you can ask your hospital for help.
The billing department should be able to guide you on the process of applying for the federal grants medical bills program.