I'm sorry, that's got to be causing you some stress. Just listen to your attorney and hang in there. Do the things that make you feel good and take care of yourself. This will all work out, just such a shame it has to take place while you are grieving. (((hugs)))

I'm sorry for the trouble you're having. I don't understand, though, why you're not responsible for them. Shouldn't those bills be paid from his estate? In other words, from the sale of his house (and any other assets) that you inherited? There are millions of dollars in debt that don't get paid and, of course, the businesses have to recoup from somewhere, which is everyone else.

I'm not knocking you - - - really. I'm just curious.

Suzieque let me explain. My husband and I were separated for man years and were in the process of getting divorced. He die dbefor eit was finalized. The only thing we had jointly was our house. The deed was Tenants by the entirety which means we both had 100% of it. When he passed away the house was 100% mine. When I sold the house all monies were mine. There was no estate. He also had no insurance (medical or life). So these companies can't go after an estate that doesn't exist.

I'm also not responsible because I never signed any paperwork with them. As of now they still don't have my information because no one gave it to them. So they send the bills to the house I sold and to his PO Box which I canceled.

I hope this works out for you. It seems grossly unfair.

Sounds like your lawyer is on the ball and giving good guidance. Hang tough!

oftentimes, these collections agencies will use strongarm tactics and threats to squeeze even a few dollars out of people. it does sound like your attorney is serving you well!

my SO and i were together 12 years, never married. common law marriages are not recognized in illinois but for some reason, several providers of his got my name after his death and dunned me for payments for a couple of years. i just tossed everything in the trash and silently dared them to come after me.

i'm sorry you have to endure this during a period of time when you should be finding peace and comfort.

I keep thinking "they have no idea who they are dealing with " . While I am very grateful for the effort they did in trying to save him I am in no way going to pay them.

While I certainly wish you luck in not having to pay these bills, I don't understand the negative sentiment towards the hospital for trying to get paid for their services. It's not their fault he wasn't insured. What would have happened had he lived?

I'm crossing my fingers, toes, hair, legs, arms, everything I got for you! I really hope it works out okay. Best!

Sorry I should have worded that better. If he had lived he would have paid what he could. He didn't make a lot of money and was sending hospital number 1 what he could. but they kept calling every few days and sending letters demanding the full amount of $55000. BTW all 3 hospitals knew he had no insurance.

I f he had low income and no insurance, wouldn’t he have qualified for Medicaid? I know benefits depend on which state you are in and your state’s participation. I guess he was lucky they agreed to treat him, knowing they were going to get stiffed on the bills. No one or any family should be forced into poverty because of our abysmal health insurance system.

I would trust the attorney.

When I took my brother to the ER, at every step we said, self self-employed, no insurance. Many, many times, from ER through admission. Ultimately, his stay and care were covered under their philanthropic arm. Wishing you all the best.

Thank you for the kind words. As far as Medicaid hospital number 1 said he made too much money and was denied. Hospital number 2 didn't look into it as they transported him to hospital number 3. Hospital number 3 did start the paperwork but we never heard back from them about it. All we got so far is letter saying if he is denied he is responsible for full payment.

I guess it all depends on the state in which you live but if you were still legally married you would be responsible for your husband's hospital bills in my state. Hopefully that is not the case where you live. I am glad you have an attorney because the collection agencies can be ruthless. Best of luck to you.

I did a bit of research and you are only responsible if you live in a community property state which are : Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

My attorney stated in the letter that under Illinois Law a wife is not liable for her husband's debts. The Creditor must file a claim against the estate. However in my case there is no estate and no assets.

" I did a bit of research and you are only responsible if you live in a community property state "

Laws, like life itself, aren't simple and straight forward.

Community property laws differ in details large and small from state to state. In California, for example, when a married couple ceases marital cohabitation (as is the case for samkaren), the community nature of assets and income is frozen. Afterwards, assets and income are treated differently. Also, married individuals can have separate property that's not part of the jointly held "community" and if used to purchase an asset in whole or in part, that can affect an asset split.

Just as examples.

We’ve had to see lots of doctors, and have visited many medical facilities, in the last few years. At every ’first visit’ there is a spot on the admittance form that asks the name of the responsible party for account billing.

Any chance you were listed as the person responsible by your almost ex-husband?

It doesn’t mean you are necessarily liable, but may explain why you will continue to be contacted for collection.

He must have been younger if not on Medicare.

I was thinking about that form as well. Bottom line though, samkaren has a lawyer who presumably knows more about her situation and applicable laws than any of us will by asking questions and performing Google searches. If he's saying she won't owe money then I'm gonna guess she won't owe money.

Thanks for explaining, samkaren. I certainly do hope that this works out well for you. I do agree, though, that the hospital deserves to be paid for its services, and not by the rest of us. I don't understand how some folks have no insurance despite the Affordable Healthcare Act (commonly nicknamed Obamacare). I had to do that for a while for myself and it is .... affordable. Since your husband made too much money to qualify for Medicare, he clearly made enough to pay the small amount for the AHA. That's why the AFA was created.

I'm honestly not casting stones - - - perhaps I'm just ignorant of specific details.

My best to you, always.

My husband did look into options for health insurance but he honestly didn't make enough for even Obama Care. Believe me if I was able I would have helped him in any way I could.

So I am listening to what my lawyer says. I'm sure they will eventually find out my information but I am not going to stress myself out about it.

And I agree that they deserve to be paid but they have to understand that not everyone can afford what they charge.

As far as the form, for Hospital number 1 he refused to give them my information. Hospital number 2 didn't know about me as they spoke to my in-laws. And Hospital number 3, my in-laws didn't give them my information. Except for number 1 (husband filled in his information) no one signed or filled out any paperwork.

It may not be common knowledge that one must have taxable income (specifically, the Modified Adjusted Gross Income figure from the 1040) of at least the federal poverty level to qualify for ACA insurance in the given year.

In many states, maybe not all, people with lower income levels qualify for some form of what's generically called Medicaid. I'm sure qualification rules, coverage, costs, etc, can vary from state to state.