I have an ER bill of $551 for a visit due to abdominal pain at work. I provided the ER with my employer’s address and all necessary information and also informed my HR and supervisor. This happened in either March or April. Since then, I’ve been receiving letters from the hospital, and I’ve told them that my employer should be handling it. Recently, a debt collector contacted me on behalf of the hospital for the bill. I explained that I can’t pay the bill because it was work-related and should be covered accordingly.
Given that the amount is relatively small, should I tell the debt collector to stop contacting me, or try to negotiate for a lower amount? I can’t afford to pay much, and I believe I shouldn’t have to pay anything at all. What should I do? I’m considering asking them to leave me alone if it won’t affect my credit.
How is the discomfort you’re experiencing in your abdomen at work?
Generally speaking, if you are in the US, you must have been hurt on the job in order to file a work compensation claim. It is not necessarily related to work comp when one has a stomach discomfort while at work.There’s not even enough context given by you to establish that it’s work-related. Have you informed your employer about your injury? Was a work comp carrier claim filed? Has your case been given a claim number by a work comp carrier?
Suppose he experienced heat stroke or something similar, which resulted in stomach pain?
There are ways to file a WC claim if you have stomach pain, however the information is lacking.
Suppose he experienced heat stroke or something similar, which resulted in stomach pain?
There are ways to file a WC claim if you have stomach pain, however the information is lacking.
Unless there was an injury that occurred while you were working for your company, visiting the ER while experiencing stomach pain at work is not truly covered by work compensation. They could have been right to collect from you if it turned out that your workman’s compensation claim was invalid.
Crossing your arms and thinking “harumph” won’t resolve this, and simply telling the hospital that you believe someone else should pay it won’t help either.
If you believe your employer is responsible, you need to take real action. Get a clear resolution from them, or consult a lawyer if you feel that’s necessary. Just assuming “it’s their responsibility” won’t fix the issue, I assure you.
As for your question about whether they might just give up, they won’t. They’ll damage your credit, and it can have serious consequences, even over just $551. If you don’t believe me, scroll through this sub it’s full of people who ignored similar situations and are now struggling and pleading for help. They’ve put this on you, and now you need to take steps to resolve it.
Why an employer would pay this is beyond me. Did you sustain an injury at work? If so, let your employers know about this. If not, providing the hospital with your employer’s address does not entail holding them liable for the costs.
Dispense with your bills. If not, you might try to work out a deal with the debt collector. It will ruin your credit and is already in collections.
$500 bill? Is that all? I wish my bills looked like this. In any case, proceed to the hospital’s financial department and complete the aid application.
Simply send them the bill and give them a brief update on the situation if it was work-related and you had already informed them. The hospital bills you directly since it interacts with you directly. Worker’s compensation may be an option if your employer declines to pay. As it normally relates to job injuries, I’m not sure how it would operate.