What if you don't have money for surgery?
Asked by: Dr. Deven McLaughlin | Last update: June 30, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (68 votes)
What happens if you need surgery but can't afford it?
Contact the hospital's billing office and ask who administrates its financial assistance programs. Be open about your struggle to afford the procedure and see what options might be available to you. Even if the hospital can't help, it may be able to refer you to a local nonprofit that can.
Will hospitals do surgery if you don't have insurance?
If you visit for an emergency in the US, the hospital is required to treat you even if you have no insurance. Bear in mind that the responsibility of the hospital ends once the emergency has been addressed and stabilized.
What do people do if they cannot afford healthcare?
State social services agencies provide direct assistance to people with limited access to health care. They can offer referrals to local health centers and organizations that may be able to help. If you are eligible for Medicare, you can get help paying for your prescriptions through Medicare Part D.
Can a hospital turn you away if you owe it 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).
Tips for a Patient That Can’t Get Price Quote before Surgery
Can a hospital force you to stay if you can't pay?
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. Additionally, you may leave without signing the discharge form. The healthcare provider would still consider this as leaving against medical advice.
What if I need surgery but can't afford my deductible?
In cases like this, we recommend contacting your insurance, surgeon, or hospital and asking if they can help you with a payment plan. Remember that your surgery provider wants to get paid so they may be very willing to work with you on a payment plan.
What happens if I don't pay a medical bill under $500?
After the March 2022 report, the three largest credit reporting agencies announced that they would no longer include paid medical debts, unpaid medical debts less than a year old, and medical debt under $500 from credit reporting.
How to get help paying for surgery?
Most hospitals offer discounts and sometimes free care to those who cannot afford to pay. Your eligibility usually depends on your household income and the number of people who live in your household. This is compared to the federal poverty level and is referred to as the "percent of federal poverty level" (% FPL).
Do hospitals do payment plans for surgery?
Financing Options: Many hospitals and clinics offer financing options, such as payment plans, to help you cover the cost of surgery over time. You can also consider taking out a personal loan or using a credit card to pay for the surgery.
What happens if insurance doesn't cover surgery?
You can pursue an appeal with the help of an insurance bad faith denial attorney. You will first appeal the denial internally within the health insurance provider, and if they continue to deny your claim, you can pursue an external appeal. Your California insurance lawyer can help you through the appeals process.
How much does surgery cost without insurance?
The average hospital stay is 4.6 days, at an average cost of $13,262. If surgery is involved, hospital costs soar through the roof. Some of the most common surgeries have price tags that top $100,000. Those are alarming figures, especially for families with limited budgets or no insurance.
How do I get money for surgery?
- Review Costs.
- Talk to Billing.
- Lower Fees.
- Ask Questions.
- Borrow From Retirement.
- Use Your Savings.
- Use Home Equity.
- Take Out Unsecured Loans.
Who pays for uninsured patients?
Hospitals do get help with the unpaid bills – from taxpayers. The majority of hospitals are non-profits and are exempt from federal, state and local taxes if they provide a community benefit, such as charitable care. Hospitals also receive federal funding to offset some of the costs of treating the poor.
What happens if you ignore medical bills?
Once medical bills enter collections, they are often reported to consumer credit reporting companies. Medical debt collections on a credit report can impact your ability to buy or rent a home, raise the price you pay for a car or insurance, and make it more difficult to find a job.
What is the No Surprises Act?
The No Surprises Act protects consumers who get coverage through their employer (including a federal, state, or local government), through the Health Insurance Marketplace® or directly through an individual health plan, beginning January 2022, these rules will: Ban surprise billing for emergency services.
Can I pay medical bills little by little?
A Payment Plan
The payment plan will allow you to break the bill into multiple payments over a set amount of time, until the bill is fully paid. Make sure to ask for a payment plan that you can actually afford. Otherwise, the provider may offer a plan that could still be a financial burden for you.
What happens if you can't pay for your surgery?
You can also ask to speak with a caseworker from your hospital or insurance company if you need help understanding your bills and resolving payment issues, said Fox. A caseworker may be able to refer you to charities, churches, community organizations, and government agencies that can offer financial assistance.
Can urgent care turn you away if you owe them money?
The law requires hospitals to provide care for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The same applies to urgent care facilities owned by hospitals.
What happens if I can't afford to pay my deductible?
If you can't pay your auto or home insurance deductible, you won't be able to file a claim and get your repairs covered.
Can a hospital turn you away if you have no 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 refuse to do surgery if you owe them money?
If it's not an emergency, a hospital can refuse to perform a procedure or treat you, if you owe them money.
Can you go to jail for leaving the hospital without being discharged?
It is not illegal to leave, and there is no law requiring you to sign any discharge documents. With that being said, you should prepare a letter explaining why you have decided to leave. Keep a copy of the letter for yourself and give a copy to the hospital administrator.