What happens if you don't pay an ER visit?
Asked by: Jon Murray | Last update: August 18, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (45 votes)
What happens if you go to the ER and can't pay?
Under U.S. law, nonprofit hospitals must provide charity care. Some for-profit hospitals do, too. These programs provide free and low-cost medical treatment — including emergency room services — for people who can't pay. Providing charity care allows hospitals to write off some or all of your charges.
Can you ignore ER bills?
Ignoring Medical Bills Creates Problems: Credit Score Damage, Debt Collectors, Lawsuits. Explore Solutions: Payment Plans, Financial Aid, & Potential Personal Injury Claim.
Can you leave the ER without paying?
Leaving Against Medical Advice
This is generally not true. In short, you have the right to leave the hospital without paying your bill. Whether you have paid or not has no impact on your right to make a medical decision.
What if I don't pay my ER visit bill?
If you do nothing and don't pay, you could be facing late fees and interest, debt collection, lawsuits, garnishments, and lower credit scores.
My ER Doctor Is Billing Me For What Insurance Didn't Pay, What Can I Do?
Can unpaid ER bills affect credit?
When you have medical debt, or a bill that is not being paid, the provider may try to contact you through letters or phone calls. If the bill remains unpaid, typically for several months, the provider may decide to turn over the debt to a collections agency. This could negatively affect your credit.
What happens if you go to the ER without insurance or money?
If you have a serious medical problem, hospitals must treat you regardless of whether you have insurance. This includes situations that meet the definition of an emergency. Some situations may not be considered true emergencies, such as: Going to the ER for non-life-threatening care.
Can a hospital turn you away for unpaid bills?
Even if you owe a hospital for past-due bills, that hospital cannot turn you away from its emergency room. This is your right under a federal law called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).
How much do most ER visits cost?
Average ER visit cost
An ER visit costs $1,500 to $3,000 on average without insurance, with most people spending about $2,100 for an urgent, non-life-threatening health issue. The cost of an emergency room visit depends on the severity of the condition and the tests, treatments, and medications needed to treat it.
Can hospitals force you to pay?
Hospitals have the right to sue patients for unpaid bills, and they may also send your account to a collections agency. This can result in damage to your credit score and additional fees. If you refuse to pay hospital bills after emergency treatment, the hospital may take legal action against you.
Can I lower my ER bill?
Healthcare providers' billing offices are used to negotiating. Do not hesitate to ask for a reduced fee if a medical bill is too high for you or your family. Other options include applying for Medicaid if you are eligible or asking for a payment plan if you cannot get a reduced cost.
How often do hospitals sue for unpaid bills?
A smaller number (about 25%) sell patients' debts to debt collectors and about 20% deny nonemergency care to people with outstanding debt. More than two-thirds of hospitals in the sample sue patients or take other legal action against them.
Can I ignore medical bills under $500?
But the good news for patients is that debt collectors have lost their leverage with medical debts under $500. While they can contact you repeatedly seeking payment, if you don't mind blocking their calls, they may eventually give up or settle for a reduced payment.
Can a hospital deny treatment for non-payment?
Q: In the United States (specifically California), can a hospital refuse treatment based on inability to pay? A: In the US, a hospital with an emergency department (ED) is required to give every patient a medical screening regardless of ability to pay.
Is urgent care cheaper than ER?
An urgent care visit is between $100 and $200 – about ten times less than the average ER visit. If you have insurance, it should only be the cost of your co-pay. Most urgent care clinics are open 7 days a week. And, on average, wait times are 30 minutes or less.
Can you make payments to the ER?
If you can't pay your bill in full, ask about payment plan options. Negotiate a monthly payment amount that fits your budget and determine if interest will be charged on the payment plan. Call the hospital or billing department and explain your financial situation and any insurance coverage you have.
Why is my ER bill so high?
Is this based on severity? Hospitals will bill you for a line item called “ER Visit Level” that is based on the complexity of your treatment. ER visit levels range from 1-5: ER visit level 1 is the most mild, while ER visit level 5 is the most severe.
Are ER visits covered by insurance?
According to section 1371.4 of the California Health and Safety Code, coverage of ER visits can only be denied if it is shown the patient “did not require emergency services care and the enrollee reasonably should have known that an emergency did not exist.” The California rule does not rely on a fictitious “prudent ...
How much does a 3 day stay in the hospital cost?
It's easy to underestimate how much medical care can cost: Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500. The average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is around $30,000.
Can I ignore my hospital bill?
It may seem tempting to toss them aside but that's one of the worst things you can do. Ignoring the bill may postpone immediate stress but will be more harmful in the long run. Tip 2: Read the details. Don't just look at your medical bills; review your Explanation of Benefits too.
Can I still go to the ER if I owe money?
Even if you owe a hospital for past-due bills, that hospital cannot turn you away from its emergency room. This is your right under a federal law called the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).
What happens if you refuse to pay a bill?
Your Debt Will Go to a Collection Agency
“If you are more than 30 days late on a payment, your creditor will most likely contact you by phone, letter, or email,” says Lyle Solomon, a consumer finance attorney and a principal attorney for the Oak View Law Group in Auburn, California.
Do you have to pay immediately at ER?
You'll be charged afterwards, whether you can pay or not.
Who pays for homeless ER visits?
“Yet, when a homeless person goes into a hospital, their insurance company pays for the emergency room visits, the inpatient stays, and for intensive care, if necessary,” he said.
Can you leave the ER without seeing a doctor?
Some people leave the ER without being seen by a healthcare provider. A common reason is long wait times. 8 You are free to leave but then you may not receive the care you need in a timely manner. Don't leave the hospital without first talking to the ER staff.