My son was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Is there a organization that will help with the medical bills that were acquired at the time of diagnosis? We cannot afford the co-pay for the hospitals involved, the ambulance, and the two-day stay at a pediatric hospital. We have insurance so do not qualify for Medicaid, and due to the cost of his daily medical needs, we are being turned over to collection and garnishments will occur. We have done our best, but have been unable to keep his follow up appointments at the hospital that specializes in his illness and age.

The time to deal with this is before the bills become so late that they are turned over to collection agencies. I would advise contacting the individual practitioners and facilities to explain your family’s financial situation (especially how the diagnosis of your child’s serious chronic disease) will drain the family resources going forward and how many other children are in the family. Ask the providers to either write off the co-pay or to establish an extended payment plan that you can realistically meet.

If this strategy does not work, you might try a fraternal or religious social services agency like Catholic Family Services. Another option is to raise many from the families in your church. Collection agencies have no incentive to settle these types of debts because they buy the right to collect the bills and only make money when you pay.

DSH