Paying for Dialysis

[Bajanne]

When I started dialysis in 2005, it was free for whoever needed it.  Then the hospital was put under a statutory board - The Health Services Authority.  They decided that if a patient had insurance, the insurance would have to start paying the monthly bill.  I had insurance and so my insurance paid.  However in 2007, my contract as a high school teacher was not renewed (due to my having to leave school early 3 afternoons for dialysis!). I told them in June that after August I would have no insurance and asked them what would happen.  They said "Well, we can't let you die".  I left it all at that.  At one point, when a got a job in 2008. I started to put in a couple hundred dollars a month, then stopped for a while.
One day, I went to the hospital pharmacy and paid for some prescribed medication.  When I got the receipt, at the bottom, it said 'past due - $55, 000.'  Well, no one told me anything and I said nothing either.  I went to dialysis and usual and got the same treatment as usual.  About a year and a half ago, the same thing happened.  This time the past due was $344,000.00!!
All patients had a meeting together with the social workers last year.  They invited us to express our concerns, etc.  Some people spoke about us no longer having a resident nephrologist.  The nephrologist visits every month or so from the United States.  They said the hospital financial constraints precluded them employing a permanent nephrologist.  After the meeting, I told the social worker that if I could pay my bill, they would be able to afford  the doctor!  She said that she had plans to meet with me and discuss the issue. 
Well only last week, the social worker started one-on-one meetings with patients.  At my meeting, she told me that they would work with me to establish a sum that I could pay monthly to help defray some of the costs of my treatment, and it would be based on how much I make. 
I must say, I am a bit relieved, since I am sure that my bill is now over $500,000.00, and I could never pay that back.  She said she will be bringing an agreement for me to sign.   I also explained that my income is seasonal, since I work mainly with the cruiseships and in summer, we have hardly any.  All this will be taken into account, and I will feel much better that I am doing something about the treatment that I am receiving.
(Was not sure where to post this)

[Annig83]

I can't believe they just said "We can't let you die" and left it at that!  My goodness if I had a nickel for every time I got a bill or statement from insurance.... then I could pay the BILLS! LOL   

Social workers are wonderful people aren't they?! I'm glad you have someone looking out for you and you feel a sense of relief in paying for your treatment. 

[jeannea]

Make sure you read that agreement carefully. If you can't understand it don't sign it until you get legal advice. I've never heard of this sort of arrangement. Where are you? In Canada you have national insurance. Are you in Mexico? Puerto Rico? If it's too personal just ignore me.

[MaryD]

Are you in British Virgin Islands or US Virgin Islands?

[Bajanne]

British Virgin Islands  (in the island of Tortola).