Got medical bills? Organize your own benefit!

[sammycat]

my point is that for a lot of people, there are options, but they chose not to take advantage of them and then expect other people to foot the bill of their financial strain due to the consequences of their own decisions.

Yes, that's what it comes down too isn't it - taking responsibility for your own life and choices.  For the price of one of the guns that Entitlement Boy paid, he probably could have bought a few months insurance.

[ShadesOfGrey]

it sounds like you are comparing them to you quite a bit, but really, to make this less injurous/imflammatory for you, it is probably better if you stuck to just being appalled at their faux pas.

In a way of helping them, I know many hospitals offer a "free care" option (I took advantage of this myself) where your bill is reduced/forgiven for people with low/no income.  If your state has it, they don't necessarily have to be below the poverty line to qualify for some debt forgiveness.  I also wrote to the doctor that stitched me up explaining the situation and she cut my bill in half and put me on a payment plan.... It took me over a year to pay off both the hospital and the doctor, even with the reductions, but eventually I did (at one point, I was only responsible for $25/month, but I could pay more than that if my cash flow was greater).  The worst thing they can do is not pay their bill, medical providers would much rather put you on a payment plan than write you off to collections (and it is much better for you)

definitely see a lawyer about separating yourself from them!

some people...

[Morty'sCleaningLady]

Completely not useful -- I thought this was going to be tips on calculating one's Healthcare Spending Account during open enrollment of benefits. 

As soon as the date of the benefit is announced, make sure you and Mr. Diva have plans.  Preferably out of town.

[DragonYoga]

Yes, going out of town is best, but I would be soooo tempted to go to their benefit and heckle them.  But of course that's not going to happen...

I have got to wonder! Do they really expect to have a silver spoon stuck in their mouth all their lives??? I hope they suddenly develop a bad case of acne the day of the benefit.

[kingsrings]

Concur with everyone else here. These people are taking advantage of the situation and spinning it. They have read in the papers and seen enough TV shows about others holding benefits for legit cases and now want the same done for them. The only way for them to ever learn their lesson is for no one to support this benefit idea of theirs. I don't know what they'd do then, but hopefully they'll wise up.

[ZipTheWonder]

Yes, these people don't seem to be terribly proactive in trying to find a SENSIBLE solution to their problem

Isn't that the truth? I have an acquaintance who bought a (brand new) house 4 months ago.  The property taxes are due January 31st, and she can't pay them, so she's put the house on the market to try to sell it.  She's a social worker, and she's taking the next two weeks off.  I'm thinking that's a pretty big case of being unable to connect the dots to a SENSIBLE solution. 

[sammycat]

Wow, that's an extreme reaction to trying to pay her taxes.  What are the chances she'll even sell the house by 31st January anyway?  Couldn't she just have asked the government (or who whoever it is you pay the taxes too) for an extension?

I know, maybe you could have a benefit concert for her, perhaps a joint one with EntitlementGirl and BenefitBoy?

[MineralDiva]

UPDATE:

There is an article in today's paper, about this situation.  It describes the accident that caused "BenefitBoy's" injuries (I love that new moniker, by the way...you guys are hilarious!), and says that at the time, they had been researching "emergency-only medical insurance."  But at the time of the accident, they were uninsured.

He says he feels that he's earning good money, but doesn't have a dollar to show for it.  It all goes out, and now they've already paid out on credit cards, $8000 they don't have. (Cry me a frickin' river!)

"EntitlementGirl" is quoted as saying that they might not be able to keep their home, and that before this "catastrophe," they were barely scraping by as it was.  Everything BenefitBoy makes goes straight into the bills.  And believe her, the bills are insane with three kids.

BenefitBoy is reluctant to accept tax-funded assitance, which he views as a mandated and involuntary assessment out of other people's pockets.  He prefers to work hard for what comes to him.  But as he admits, and his wife worries, this is a difficult time.  (Hello?  She's NOT his wife!  And two of those kids are her ex-husband's!)

EntitlementGirl says, "But we're getting scared."  (Awwww!  Poor baby!  Get a JOB!)

The benefit concert is scheduled for January 6th, to help the family raise funds to pay the medical bills.  EntitlementGirl is recruiting local friends and entertainers to assist and perform.

The article finishes by saying that if anyone in the community would like to assist the Benefit-Entitlement family, or talk to them further....and gives their contact information.

Mr. Diva is concerned that he may be roped into having to perform, if his other bandmates want to play for this fiasco.  I told him that in no uncertain terms, that I would put my foot down on that one.  I do not interfere in band business, but THIS is utterly beyond the pale!  If they want to perform, they can do so without him.  We will have other "plans."

[sammycat]

Oh no!   I wonder how many suckers, oops, kind hearted souls, will fall for this article and donate time and money to the benefit?  Not too many I hope.

[MineralDiva]

I also happen to know the other actor who was also involved in this accident (and actually caused BenefitBoy's injuries).  His wife told me today that he feels terrible that it happened.  But it WAS an accident.  The film they were working on, did not take proper precautions, nor were they insured in case something went wrong.

Strangely, it is the same actor who was in our Halloween production, that EntitlementGirl sat on our living room couch and told Mr. Diva she wanted to be intimate with!

Wonder how she feels about him now that he nearly (accidentally) killed her boyfriend?  It was just one of those things.  Even when all the "proper" precautions are taken, sometimes accidents happen.  Unfortunately all the proper precautions were not taken, and the inevitable occurred.

I would be looking at a lawsuit against the production company...NOT a benefit concert!

[jibby]

Mr. Diva is concerned that he may be roped into having to perform, if his other bandmates want to play for this fiasco.  I told him that in no uncertain terms, that I would put my foot down on that one.

Um, Diva?  I just finished reading the thread and wanted to let you know I am available to help kidnap Mr. Diva on that date, if needed.

Wow.  I don't even really have anything to say.  They are the King and Queen of Poor Judgement.  Just...wow.

[ZipTheWonder]

I know, maybe you could have a benefit concert for her, perhaps a joint one with EntitlementGirl and BenefitBoy?

I'm thinking about it, trust me. 

Or......one need look no further than this board for evidence that a social worker probably could WORK during Christmas.   

[jaxsue]

Sammycat - Close to 50% of Americans are already on a gov't sponsored healthcare program. There are the retirees (Medicare), the disabled/poor (Medicaid), and most states offer programs for kids. For the latter the parents don't have to be destitute. As for Medicaid, my disabled son qualified for it when he turned 18 this year. We also have him on my DH's work health insurance, because not every doctor takes Medicaid.

There is also debt forgiveness with many hospitals. They don't expect to get money from everyone they treat (just one reason health insurance costs are high), and they will forgive part or all of a medical bill. Not every hospital does this, but it happens.

I'm not saying the situation isn't a mess - it is. Private health insurance is outrageous and fraud is common in both public and private health insurance.

[Sandi Papaya]

Oh well, whatever, never mind.

[Clara Bow]

Um, Diva?  I just finished reading the thread and wanted to let you know I am available to help kidnap Mr. Diva on that date, if needed.

You bring the car, I'll get the rope and chloroform...we'll keep him at my place where he can watch some movies and have some nice homemade soup...my three year old will be a great guard!