So, You Can't Pay Your Health Insurance Because You're Sick. What Happens Next?

To slightly digress, suppose we've posted hundreds of pics around internet discussion forums (like i've done) and then become ill or die and can't renew our subscription to the image hosting site such as Photobucket.
I suppose Pb will close our account and all our pics will vanish from every forum.

First of all, insurance can't be cancelled the day the bill was due. Most states require a 30 day grace period. That means even if the person is paying month to month, they would have somewhere between 40-60 days before the insurance would be cancelled.

Secondly, if a person is incapable of making decisions and there is no one to make those decisions, they would probably be given a guardian to make those decisions and to take care of their financial matters.

http://family.findlaw.com/guardianship/guardianship-of-incapacitated-or-disabled-persons.html

Hospitals have social workers who would be capable of requesting a guardian for an incapacitated person with no known relatives.

You're lucky.

The opening post made it clear that you were too sick to mail the check, possibly unconscious.

Brandon9000 wrote:

The opening post made it clear that you were too sick to mail the check, possibly unconscious.

Well, I can't remember when someone mailed a check - I'm 65 years old, and all the period I remember, health insurance premiums like any other regular monthly bill are paid automatically from your bank account by withdrawal.

The opening post made it clear that you were too sick to mail the check, possibly unconscious.

I hope that this social worker thing is real and functional. If so, then it is the answer to my question.

You need to give someone power of attorney to pay your bills, from your bank account, in case you become too ill to do that. Medical bills won't be the only monthly bills you have that need to be paid, and you need to have someone you trust be able to do that for you. The person could be a friend you trust. When my friend was dying of cancer, and simply too weak to manage his finances, he gave me his power of attorney and I paid his bills for him. I also had his Health Care Proxy so I could make medical decisions for him when he became unable to do that at the end.

Another option might be for you to draw up a Revocable Living Trust, place your assets into that trust, but retain control over them by appointing yourself primary trustee. You then appoint a successor trustee, a friend or financial institution, that will manage your assets and financial obligations for you in the event you become incapacitated. In effect, that person or institution will have your power of attorney to act in your stead if you cannot act on your own behalf. A Living Trust can also substitute for a Will in determining the distribution of your assets after your death.

I would not depend on a hospital social worker to request you be granted a court-appointed guardian, in the event you need one, because that takes matters out of your control. You are much better off getting these matters sorted out in advance of any incapacitation on your part, and in accord with your wishes, and putting your finances in the hands of friends or financial professionals you trust.

You really should consult an elder care or estate planning attorney to discuss your options. At the very least, I think you need to have things like a power of attorney, and a Heath Care Proxy/Advance Healthcare Directive drawn up so that someone is authorized to act on your behalf.

Most of what you're advocating implies the existence of people close enough both personally and probably in terms of physical distance to do it. The opening posts presume that no such people exist. Presumably, when I reach that age, my good friends and those few relatives who are sort of close will have also. I cannot see casual friends doing it.

You should have someone now who can act as your power of attorney and health care proxy, since you never know when the need for such things might arise.

I hope that this social worker thing is real and functional. If so, then it is the answer to my question.

Since he's making every excuse under the sun about how he can settle this problem, no amount of suggestions to solve it is going to happen. He wants the attention he's getting on this forum, and stretching it for all its worth. ZILCH.

Not only that! Numerous people have told Brandon baby that an automatic bank deduction would alleviate the problem - every healthcare carrier allows for automatic deductions, but Brandon has another 9000 questions.

That may be the answer to my question. I've never known anyone who talked about their insurance with me and said that they did that, but, if it's possible, it's the way to go - at least until we have guaranteed medical care here.