Family member has a serious acute medical emergency but would just like for me to pay up and shut up

[Anonymous]

This is the fourth time in the last two years that I have gotten the emergency call – this is the first medical one. Each time it gets worse and more expensive for me. I will pay for it, but

[Anonymous]

What happens if you dont?

[Anonymous]

Why do you have to pay? I think you need more information in your post.

I wouldn't pay. If they are indigent, medicare/medicaid will pay. Why should you be responsible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you have to pay? I think you need more information in your post.

I wouldn't pay. If they are indigent, medicare/medicaid will pay. Why should you be responsible?

Still middle class enough to scrape by. No extras. not eligible for Medicaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you have to pay? I think you need more information in your post.

I wouldn't pay. If they are indigent, medicare/medicaid will pay. Why should you be responsible?

Still middle class enough to scrape by. No extras. not eligible for Medicaid.

You're just not explaining this enough. Why should you be responsible??

[Anonymous]

??? Can we have some actual details? Who? What? Why?

[Anonymous]

Definitely don't pay. If someone is poor they will make payment plans and lower how much is due. Or that person might need to cut back on cable, get another job, etc. Life is hard.

[Anonymous]

Impossible to weigh in on this w/ so little info but you can say no. You do not have to be the bank. If you continue to send money you will continue to receive requests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you have to pay? I think you need more information in your post.

I wouldn't pay. If they are indigent, medicare/medicaid will pay. Why should you be responsible?

Still middle class enough to scrape by. No extras. not eligible for Medicaid.

If you refuse to pay then they will become eligible because they will use up whatever funds they do have to pay for these medical bills.
I agree with other PPs that it would be easier to discuss if we had more details, but bottom line is--you do not have to pay if you don't want to pay. You decide if your frustration with paying is greater then whatever fallout in family relations will occur if you don't pay. Your choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you have to pay? I think you need more information in your post.

I wouldn't pay. If they are indigent, medicare/medicaid will pay. Why should you be responsible?

Still middle class enough to scrape by. No extras. not eligible for Medicaid.

If you refuse to pay then they will become eligible because they will use up whatever funds they do have to pay for these medical bills.
I agree with other PPs that it would be easier to discuss if we had more details, but bottom line is--you do not have to pay if you don't want to pay. You decide if your frustration with paying is greater then whatever fallout in family relations will occur if you don't pay. Your choice.

This is not necessarily true. There are many factors that go in to Medicaid eligibility, not just income and resources. Don't ever assume somebody will get Medicaid just because they don't have very much money.

[Anonymous]

Medicaid is very hard to get as an adult. I plied for my mil with $1000 a month income and she was over income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you have to pay? I think you need more information in your post.

I wouldn't pay. If they are indigent, medicare/medicaid will pay. Why should you be responsible?

Still middle class enough to scrape by. No extras. not eligible for Medicaid.

If you refuse to pay then they will become eligible because they will use up whatever funds they do have to pay for these medical bills.
I agree with other PPs that it would be easier to discuss if we had more details, but bottom line is--you do not have to pay if you don't want to pay. You decide if your frustration with paying is greater then whatever fallout in family relations will occur if you don't pay. Your choice.

This is not necessarily true. There are many factors that go in to Medicaid eligibility, not just income and resources. Don't ever assume somebody will get Medicaid just because they don't have very much money.

+10000
I hate when people say that about Medicaid as if , you just go to an office, cry poor mouth and they rain down Medicaid money.

[Anonymous]

Add me to the list of people who don't understand why you have to pay for this. Family member can work out a payment plan for the bill and slowly pay it off themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you have to pay? I think you need more information in your post.

I wouldn't pay. If they are indigent, medicare/medicaid will pay. Why should you be responsible?

Still middle class enough to scrape by. No extras. not eligible for Medicaid.

If you refuse to pay then they will become eligible because they will use up whatever funds they do have to pay for these medical bills.
I agree with other PPs that it would be easier to discuss if we had more details, but bottom line is--you do not have to pay if you don't want to pay. You decide if your frustration with paying is greater then whatever fallout in family relations will occur if you don't pay. Your choice.

Did you just make that up out of thin air?

[Anonymous]

What I get from reading this is that the OP has not been given more details, that she is just expected to accept "medical emergency" as the reason for a fourth gift of a large amount of money.

If you have it to give, do so. Be sure to let them know, however, that your reserves are now officially wiped out. Give, for this last time.

When asked again (because we know there will be another catastrophic car need or house damage accident or something), explain that your four gifts of X, X, X, and X amounts (totaling XXXX) wiped you out and suggest two things, like a bank loan or a local social service agency, insurance, or whatever.

Commiserate in the future, but no more giving. Unless you're truly in it for the long haul, and you're okay with this set up. Even then, moving forward, offer to make direct payments. For example, child X needs braces, wisdom teeth extracted, whatever. Fine, what's the dentist's name, I'll send a check out today. Accountant said I'd face tax liability if I kept making checks out to you and not claiming you as a dependent (or something that sounds authoritative, if entirely inaccurate).

Call the bluff by maintaining that your hands are tied---either because you've been wiped out by past gifts or some accountant/audit/thing has instructed you thusly.