Notice: The Fairness Foundation is only providing information. Such information is not legal advice. Legal advice can only come from a duly-licensed attorney in your State. The Fairness Foundation encourages you to consult with an attorney on legal matters as there are time limits that could adversely affect your legal rights.
Defend Yourself!
"What a relief to know this has been resolved."
Susie and Dwight Dodd, 8/30/05
Are you one of the over 47 million Americans that are uninsured? Are you facing financially impossible hospital bills?
Did you know that you may not have to pay what they say you owe?
The Fairness Foundation provides the information and support necessary to help the uninsured negotiate for a reasonable charge.
Many not-for-profit hospitals are indeed Very profitable.
Informing the hospital that you have no health insurance is the beginning of a financial nightmare for the uninsured! You become a target, much like walking in with a bull’s eye on your chest, all because the uninsured are charged a higher charge than those with insurance or Medicare. Everyone gets a discount on their hospital bill, everyone EXCEPT the uninsured.
Some hospitals now offer "self-pay" discounts to everyone. We have found that the discounts barely make a dent in the overcharged, outrageous bill, in the first place.
Many times hospitals refuse to provide a reduction in the uninsured’s bill. Is it fair that you are penalized because you have no one to negotiate a fair and equitable rate? We believe you should have the same consideration of those with insurance.
Hospitals have been known to garnish wages, seize cars even take people's homes as payment. They will and do take people to court! Is this fair?
Let us help you find your way out of the maze of unreasonable charges! We are here to help.
HospitalVictims.org and its team of advocates will show you what type of discount your hospital provides to someone with insurance.
We will show you the actual cost to hospitals (as opposed to how much they charge) to provide a service. Those facts will help determine whether the amount you've been charged is reasonable.
Keep in mind, even if the hospital gives you a discount, they could still be overcharging. That's important because the courts have repeatedly said that hospitals are only entitled to collect a reasonable amount for their services.
If you believe that what you have been charged is unreasonable rate, we'll give you suggestions on how to fight back, we provide ideas on how to protect your assets and your credit. Our suggestions identify steps to get a collection agency to quit harassing you. If it is necessary we will give additional assistance to help you accomplish that.
Being uninsured doesn't mean you are without rights.
We are here to help!
Pulitzer Prize Winning Investigative Journalists Donald L. Bartlett and James B. Steele from their book, "Critical Condition," released October 4, 2004
Rampant Overcharging:
"Almost everybody knows that a hospital stay can be hazardous to your financial health if you don't have insurance.
"What isn't so well known is that hospitals charge the highest prices to those who don't have insurance. In other words, those least able to pay are charged the most. In a system riddled with inequities, this may be the most egregious...
"Studies show an uninsured person who is not backed by the muscle of a pool is billed three, four, five, sometimes as much as ten times more than an insurance company whose patient has the exact same treatment."
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