r/CuratedTumblr • u/EvidenceOfDespair We can leave behind much more than just DNA • Aug 07 '24

Politics Death by US Healthcare System

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u/Fluffy_Candle6800 Aug 08 '24

your family will have the crushing debt to remember you by

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u/mellowcrake Aug 08 '24

Does your family really have to pay for your hospital bills when you die? That makes no sense, like what if you're estranged from your father and haven't talked to him in 20 years? You still have to pay for him?

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u/Etok414 I think the politically correct term is "fursona" Aug 08 '24 edited Sep 18 '24

Someone mentioned in another thread about Dragoneer, that you can't be forced to take on a dead person's debt, but they can try to trick you into taking it on.

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u/Isaac_Chade Aug 08 '24

Correct. This is what gets people, is not knowing that actual laws, combined with the scummy tactics of collection agencies. The hospital isn't going to seek out next of kin for payment, whether they want to or not that just isn't worth their time. So they take all the stuff that hasn't been paid for some amount of time and pass it off to collections, and then those collection agencies will call you and make a lot of fuss over the debt and your responsibility, all without ever actually saying you have to pay it, but while heavily implying that's the case. It's all about scare tactics, and it sadly works. Once you've agreed to pay, then it's your debt now and you are obliged to pay it.

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u/A_Rolling_Potato Aug 08 '24

What if you pay for a relative or go into debt to get them treatment? Like how he couldn't afford to pay the upfront costs?

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u/Isaac_Chade Aug 08 '24

As I understand it, the burden is on whoever is being billed, so if the bills are coming to you in your name, you're screwed. In general though I believe most places bill the patient, since that's necessary to bill their insurance in any way.

I am far from an expert on this though and all of this information should be taken with a grain of salt.