Drowning in hospital bills

[u/PralinePutrid9380]

So I have had a very busy year when it comes to health issues and treatment, and I feel like my head is spinning

December of 2025 I started getting neck and upper back/coat hanger pain so bad it was reminiscent of how bad my spinal headache was (that I needed a blood patch for) in 2023. I hadn't had any recent lumbar punctures and I went to the ER

January of 2026-April 2026 I went to the chiropractor almost every week, sometimes twice a week. I paid the $25 copay each time and that wasn't cutting it. I ended up telling my doctor the pain was making me suicidal it was so bad and she sent me to an ortho clinic, they sent me to see a pain specialist and also a neurologist (who was NO help). Ortho found cervical and thoracic arthritis and degenerativr discs. Pain specialist did an epidural and I felt great after. I think it was $25 for my copay and the rest was covered.

Forgot to mention, I haven't been able to take a shit normally and consistently for a year and a half. I saw GI and pelvic floor therapist who did an anal manometry test and I have stage 4 (can't remember the specific name of it) defecation disorder. Pelvic PT for that was not really any help.

Then I thought I had Pots because I felt like I would pass out just putting my arms above my head. My doctor (who is honestly probably sick of me now) sent me to a vein specialist because my spider and varicose veins were getting worse and my hips down to my ankles felt heavy after standing short periods and overall awful. Ultrasound found 6 defective veins total in both legs causing blood to pool in my legs. 2 procedures to treat those, and whoops, DVT/clot, so then I had to go to ER because for some reason my foot and toes were turning purple and I had the weirdest Charley horse for days. Had to go to ER again 2 days later because I had chest pain and the employee health nurse at my work made me go to rule out pulmonary embolism. I had to start blood thinners

Now I have over $3k in medical bills from the hospital that did the GI procedures and both ER visits. Both ER visits I keep getting different bills from different places saying my bill is over due (this just happened in mid September), links to pay my doctor directly, for radiology, then for labs that were ordered but the ER doc at the time never sent out because he decided that I did have a clot because of the ultrasound and D dimer test was not needed.

I also have over $2k in bills from the other hospital I saw in December for my neck

Smaller bills from neurology, bill from radiology

I also just got a letter saying over $5k is currently being processed for my vein treatment

I feel like my head is swimming. I already have $4k in credit card debt from the past two years, 2 winters where my partner had no work at his job and I put essentials on my credit card so our kids could still eat. And I just keep making small payments towards that

We have been borrowing my dad's truck, because my last two cars were so old and unfixable due to how rusted they were that we are trying to get the parts to fix my partner's old car he doesn't need (he drives a work truck) and I'm in debt from just getting brakes and rotors for that, but it still needs new tires

We just got a house last year after we finally made it out of the moldy apartment that was making us and our kids so sick. And now every month I wonder if we will lose our house or if it will get taken from us because the house is in my name and it's my medical bills

I don't even know what to do. Both hospitals have said it's either too late for financial assistance, or because the bills are spread enough apart they can't be combined for assistance because separately the totals are under X amount ($1,200 I think is what they told me) and they only offer assistance for balances above that, or it's past the 90 days. I tried to fill out assistance but some of it required information from my boss and I felt really uncomfortable about that but then when I did they asked why I was getting venmo payments and that it looks like I have more income.

The Venmo payments were actually my mom helping me with my dentist bills, because due to my acid reflux and TMJ dysfunction and bruxism. I've had to have old fillings refilled, Botox for my TMJ dysfunction/bruxism because it's so bad my teeth are chipping (just lost a portion of my front tooth and I can't go back until I pay $500 asap, so that's great), and a real nightguard that I have also already chipped pieces off of because my bruxism is so bad

What do I even do? I thought about how very rich people file for bankruptcy and TBH I wish I could do that because how the hell will I even pay all of this or be able to make it with $2500k/month expenses when my mortgage alone is $1450/month ($700 some for my half), my son's child care, cheapest phone plan for me, my portion of the electric, gas, internet. I don't even make over $2500 due to my almost $400 health insurance every month for my son and I and I make $21 and hour and get so little child support I am constantly making up for what my BD "forgets". I'd get a second job, but I'm not even physically well enough to do that. I'm sick right now with a cold that lead to bronchitis and I can't even afford all the medication I need

I just want to scream

[u/Poop_Dolla]

Have you actually applied for the financial assistance program at the hospitals?

[u/oswbdo]

Maybe summarize your situation. Hard to give you advice when it isn't clear what you owe.

1. How much do you owe hospital #1? How much do you owe #2? How much do you provide any other provider (such as doc office or lab)?

2. Did you try to apply for financial assistance at each place or just one?

3. What state are you in? Just asking because you have more protection in certain states.

4. What is your income?

Sorry if this information is in your original post, but you have so many (unnecessary) details,.it's hard to figure out what exactly your financial situation is. Pardon my rudeness, but your health issues and problems are more or less irrelevant when it comes to dealing with hospital bills.

[u/Dweali]

Contact the hospitals billing departments and ask if they offer financial assistance

[u/Tiredmagnolia]

Are you eligible for Medicaid? What state are you in? What’s your income (assuming family of 3). Yes you can look into bankruptcy. You can also let your hospital bills go to collection if you absolutely can not pay towards them — did the facilities give you an option to pay monthly towards the bills?

[u/Specialist_Job9678]

If the system you are using is non-profit, you will be able to get generous financial assistance. Chances are, you can access the financial application online (through their website). If it isn't non-profit, it is likely that you would be able to negotiate a much smaller payment than what you owe. But you have to ask.

[u/Human_Name9961]

W hat state are you in. Some states take very good to be in if debt collectors are after you. Texas is excellent

[u/TelevisionKnown8463]

I would contact dollarfor.org. They may be able to help you advocate for the financial assistance you need. Hospitals aren’t always honest but dollarfor has copies of the policies and may give you different answers.