This weekly text reminder that not only is my husband dead, but I owe $27,106.00 in X-rays alone.
Wednesday, 12 Mar 2025
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Reply STOP for a start
I thought loved ones weren’t responsible for covering a deceased person debt?
In Australia, if you get hit by a motor vehicle, you are automatically covered regardless of where you are from as all drivers pay a road insurance.
It is ridiculous you can be bankrupted for an accident that’s not your fault in America.
BS American Healthcare System sorry
The US is so brutal
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I would consider reaching out to an attorney to review the situation and confirm whether or not you are actually liable for the debt. It varies by state (in my state for example, I am not personally liable for the medical debts of my deceased spouse). They can help you walk through what to do to protect yourself.
[This article ](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/debt-collectors-that-take-advantage-of-surviving-spouses-and-their-vulnerabilities/) gives some overview of it.
ETA: if not too late, I would reach out to an attorney prior to paying anything.
>I owe
Did you get the X-rays? Or did your husband. Because if your husband did, he owes. You can do what my mom did when debt collectors wouldn’t take a “he’s dead” for an answer. She gave them his address to send the bills. They never called again. It was the cemetery address with his plot number lol
last x-ray i had cot me 6$ it was 4 dollars for parking and i bought a coffee for the wait
I’m so sorry for your loss and I hope that you can get this resolved somehow. I’m currently undergoing lots of tests including MRIs and dread to think how much it would cost if I lived in the US. Stories like yours make me (a) very angry and (b) very grateful that the UK has socialised health care.
Oh thats- shit to say the least o7
When will Americans do something against shitty healtcare system , how do you live knowing damn well one day something will happen and you will be in debt for 10 thousands of dollars just to get health care?
Also sorry for your loss
You are not responsible for covering a deceased loved one’s debt to a hospital.
Furthermore, a significant number of hospitals are classified as non profit. If you fall below the poverty lines, they are required by law to forgive any outstanding debt regarding your care.
Know your rights.
Genuinley, fuck the USA. I am so sorry you have to put up with this shit!
#FreeLuigi
Wow
Heartless. I’m so sorry OP.
Just say “deceased”. You’d be surprised how much that works.
My step dad died recently. Every creditor that calls or bill that arrives, my mother just says or writes deceased over it and sends it back. Most have stopped trying. The bills are in his name and he ain’t here to pay.
Step 1. Message STOP
Step 2. If they message again, look up the number. It’s probably a twilio, signalwire or telenyx service.
Step 3. Report abusive messages.
Also did you buy a used x ray machine? For between 13 to 26k you can buy a used one.
Sorry for your loss, I went through the same thing when my first husband died. You are NOT responsible for any debts that you did not cosign for, so do not pay them. That won’t stop them from harassing you, but you are within your rights to block them or tell them to leave you alone. They will eventually give up and leave you alone.
EDIT: DON’T feel bad for the medical practices that aren’t getting paid either, they will write it off as losses in the end. When I spoke with some companies, they tried to guilt trip me, saying I was dishonoring my husband’s memory by leaving this debt in his name. Don’t let them manipulate you.
There is a thing that also troubles me everytime I see these horror US stories : I am under the impression that every medical act is over charged : like 10 minutes emergency vehicle is 4000$, radiology 30k etc … ok you have to pay doctors and machinery but the real cost / price can’t be that high
Were they using disposable x-ray machines or something?
First, this sucks. I’m sorry for your loss.
Second, Florida is ___NOT___ a community property state. I used to work as a compliance officer for a collection company. Any debt that was is your spouses name, you are not legally required to pay.
If you get contacted by any of your spouse’s creditors, including medical debt, in some instances. If you’re a co-signer on any loans, you’ll be on the hook, but anything that was just them, that isn’t your responsibility.
It’s going to suck, but whenever a creditor contacts you, instead of ignoring them, let them know your spouse has passed, and you need to know where to send a copy of the death certificate. If they continue to contact you after you provide a certificate, that’s now something you can sue for, for harassment.
If you can afford it, 100% talk to a legal professional so you know what your rights are. Don’t let them bully you into false payment. Fuck ’em.
You owe nothing and should pay nothing.
Not legal advice, but
You are not responsible for the debt of a deceased loved one. It’s falls on the estate to pay the debt, meaning all assets in the person’s name. However, you as an individual are not responsible for those debts. Please pay $0 for any debts your loved one had. Make the creditors come for it through the courts, but it will not affect your credit.
Have you tried replying STOP? Or blocking the number?