this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2023
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me_irl

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submitted 11 months ago by MacNCheezus to c/me_irl@lemmy.world
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[–] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 7 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (3 children)

I'm not defending the awful medical system we have, but there's some misconceptions here.

  1. The initial bill you get from a hospital is the same bill insurance gets so that the hospital and insurance can play the stupid negotiation game. If you call, they will reduce the amount.

  2. [I myself misunderstood this one]

  3. There is no "generational debt." Unless you are a cosigner, you are not responsible for your deceased relatives' debts. If they try to collect from you personally, never accept responsibility for the debt and tell them to kick rocks. The estate of the deceased will be liable and is used to satisfy debtees. This is why it is important to have a professional handle the estate before any divisions are made.

Edit: removed my own misconception.

[–] abbotsbury@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

I think having your parents estate liquidated for medical bills can be considered an aspect of "generational debt."

Even ignoring monetary inheritance or real estate, items of sentimental value that would otherwise be bequeathed can be lost due to medical debt.

While strictly true that the debt cannot be inherited, the debt is in the way of anything else being inherited.

[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago (2 children)

If it’s more than $500, you have 365 days to pay it or set up a payment plan. After that, it will absolutely appear on your credit report.

[–] theangryseal@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

They definitely showed up on mine. When I went to speak with a financial advisor a few years ago about what it would take for me to purchase a house, there the debts were on her computer screen.

I don’t know if they’re supposed to consider those debts, but they are definitely on there.

[–] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 2 points 11 months ago

I see you're right, apologies. I misunderstood the change.

[–] bappity@lemmy.world 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I'm joking around obviously it's not to that scale

[–] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 3 points 11 months ago

My bad, hard to tell. There are people who believe that, so just wanted to clear it up if that was the case. It could save someone a lot of hassle.