Hospital Bills After Death: Understanding Your Coverage Under ACA and Other Insurance Types

Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with hospital bills after their passing can add to the stress. Understanding your coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other insurance types can help you navigate this process.

Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for End-of-Life Care

Most people over 65 qualify for Medicare, which provides health insurance for seniors. Original Medicare includes Part A, which covers hospital stays and skilled nursing facility care, and Part B, which covers medical services like doctor visits and outpatient care.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance is a private insurance policy that helps cover costs not covered by Original Medicare. This can include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Medicaid is a government program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families. It covers a wide range of services, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription drugs.

Who is Responsible for Hospital Bills After Death?

Generally, the estate of the deceased person is responsible for any unpaid medical bills. However, there are exceptions to this rule:

Medicare: Medicare pays for end-of-life care until the day of death. Therefore, there should be no outstanding Medicare bills.
Medicaid: Medicaid pays for covered services, and providers are generally prohibited from billing Medicaid recipients for those services.
Medicare Supplemental Insurance: Medicare Supplemental Insurance typically covers the costs of end-of-life care. However, the policyholder should check their policy to confirm the specific coverage.

Understanding Your Legal Obligations

After the death of a loved one, it is important to understand your legal obligations regarding hospital bills. If there is an outstanding balance, the hospital may attempt to collect from the estate or from family members. However, it is important to note that family members are not personally liable for the deceased person’s medical debts unless they have co-signed a loan or guarantee of payment.

Seeking Professional Help

If you are facing hospital bills after the death of a loved one, it is advisable to seek professional help from a licensed insurance agent or attorney. They can help you review your coverage, file claims, and negotiate with healthcare providers on your behalf.

Additional Tips

Gather all your loved one’s insurance information and provide it to the hospital.
If there are any unpaid medical bills, contact the hospital’s billing department to discuss payment options.
Remember that you are not personally liable for the deceased person’s medical debts if they are not covered by insurance.
Seek professional help if you need assistance understanding your coverage or negotiating with healthcare providers.