Mother Expired in India with Pending Medical Bills in USA

[panurag1]

In Dec 2015 my mother expired in India, She has gone back to india in August 2015 after getting treatment here in USA.

she was admitted around 11 day here in hospital for treatment, her insurance has not covered any payment. She signed all the document while visiting to hospitals.

Now we are getting the medical bills , some of them are at debt collection center , Since she expired in DEC 2015. I have her death Certificate issued from India.

Let me know, what should be my next step regarding her medical bills payments.

Thanks,

Anurag

[rayb]

Panurag,

Unless you agreed and signed as responsible payer when admitting mom to the hospital, you have no legal obligation to pay the remaining medical bills. The hospital or a third party collection agency may attempt to be very aggressive to obtain payment from you, but unless you are already on record to be responsible for her hospital debt, you cannot be forced to settle the claim.

But if your mother had been in immigrant status and you were the sponsor on an I-864 form, there is a possibility that the hospital may escalate the financial obligation to a Federal agency claim.

--Ray B

In Dec 2015 my mother expired in India, She has gone back to india in August 2015 after getting treatment here in USA.

she was admitted around 11 day here in hospital for treatment, her insurance has not covered any payment. She signed all the document while visiting to hospitals.

Now we are getting the medical bills , some of them are at debt collection center , Since she expired in DEC 2015. I have her death Certificate issued from India.

Let me know, what should be my next step regarding her medical bills payments.

Thanks,

Anurag