Hospital bill is more than we can afford

This may be long-winded, so thank you in advance. I could really use some help navigating this.

My wife and I had our first daughter a little over 6 months ago. We have started to recieve bills from the hospital for the birth. At the time of the birth, my wife was employed and had health insurance (she is now a SAHM.) Almost immediately after the birth, within 4 hours, hospital staff were in our room asking whose insurance our daughter would be on. We told them her mother’s, as I was still on my parents insurance, since I was under 26.

Now, we have been receiving hospital bills in our daughter’s name for upwards of $10,000.

My wife contacted her old employer, and they claimed that our daughter was not covered because she didn’t enroll in some specific health plan. However, at the time that she enrolled, we didn’t have any kids, so why would she enroll in a health plan that covered children? Sorry if this is sounds ignorant, I really don’t understand this side of insurance.

Anyways, what are my options for next steps? The hospital claims that we can do a payment plan, but I really firmly believe that we shouldn’t have to pay the entire balance because they were in our room a few hours after she was born demanding her insurance information. And then she isn’t even covered under the insurance we provided to them (Blue Cross Blue Shield)

What happens if I just let these bills go unpaid? I know that sounds bad but we really can’t afford it. Will it impact my credit score? Is there a possibility I can “settle” it by agreeing on a lesser amount? The hospital is a small, rural hospital. It was a great place to have our kid- but it definitely is not a corporate facility.

See also  Campaigning Ramps Up as South Dakota Voters Decide on Medicaid Expansion

Thank you in advance for any help!

submitted by /u/Fresh_Ebb_9685
[comments]