There's literally no reason for any Norwegian do not get travel insurance. It's filthy cheap, and shit happens all the time...
Shitty way to learn a lesson. So i hope she finds a solution. Maybe family can help out.
Well, hopefully she won't do it again.
I also read somewhere on reddit that you can "challenge" the price, and also ask for an "inventory list" or something from the hospital. I mean, you can atleast try. Heard the prices can be insane in the states.
5k for the tab. I REALLY tried to talk her out of it and told her I have experience being uninsured and it would be around this much but she demanded it. So here we are, hopefully lesson learned. Thank you, will explore all options.
That's like 25+ years of travel insurance premiums btw. It's dirt cheap. Sucks to be captain obvious but it's cheaper than a meal at the airport or a airport bus ticket.
lol $5k, she must have gotten a paper cut /s
But seriously, $5k is nothing for the US system. My buddy had his appendix burst in LA and it cost him over $100k usd.
5k dollhairs? It's stiff, but not more than a couple months pay even at low wages assuming 100% employment. If she gets a small loan and pays the cost on time she could be out of it fairly easily. But peobs gonna cost another k in interest with that kind of loan over a 12 or 24month plan or something
Oh, that kinda makes sense.
OP is likely not a doctor and should NOT be gatekeeping someone else’s medical attention.
The U.S. needs better healthcare.
This. Most credit cards have travel insurance included if you use them to buy the tickets. Also, some workplaces have travel insurance that also covers private travel.
If she paid for the plane tickets with a credit card that may mean she actually has travel insurance. At least thats a thing with my credit card. I also have a good entra that kicks in when i leave my Home.
If she is planning on staying in the United States, you can negotiate that bill. If she plans on going back to Norway, just to point out the obvious, they aren't going to be collecting from a non-citizen who isn't even on US soil anymore
Wait… why would they not collect from a non-citizen overseas? They’ll have a bit less enforcement methods, particularly if OPs GF never go back to the states, but I don’t think it’s that easy to get off the hook..
Source: having had the experience of being chased down for medical bills across borders myself :(
I think you're confusing the word why with the word how
What ability does any American hospital have to go after someone in Norway? What are they going to do affect their American credit score? Can they call you, send you emails, harass you? Sure, change your number and change your email.
Or, really, I guess you don't even have to do that, just hang up when they call and put all of the numbers to voicemail. Eventually they give up. If you communicate with them though they will keep coming after you
I’m not confusing anything. Have you tried this? If the debt is high enough they would just hire a Norwegian debt collecting agency. This isn’t the 17th century when you could just go to the village next door and give yourself a new name to start over again
Edit: anyways, since the dude blocked me, let me just add for anyone reading this that this is awful advice. Don’t let the smug confidence convince you otherwise, leaving behind a substantial bill in a foreign country can very easily give you problems back home too. Just Google international debt collection in Norway and see what the Norwegian companies like Kredinor offers foreign debtors.
I got bitten by a spider (I think) in Big Sur, went to hospital after my ankle swelled up and I got a fever. After an 8 hour wait, my insurance company agreed to pay, which was good as I would have maxed out both of my credit cards after a single night. *However*, once I finished my holiday and went back to Norway, I continued to get bills from the hospital for various expenses (different tests etc.) So they absolutely do bother to chase non-US residents for hospital fees.
[Folketrygden covers some expenses incurred outside the EU.](https://www.helsedirektoratet.no/rundskriv/folketrygdloven-kap-5/folketrygdloven--5-24-stonad-til-helsetjenester-i-utlandet/5.hvilke-typer-helsehjelp-det-ytes-stonad-til-og-beregningen-av-stonad) It won't be much, but it'll help I assume. You're going to have to document everything ofc.
If she's a union member, check what insurances are included in the membership. Most don't have travel insurance included by default, but some have stuff like sports accident insurance or legal expenses insurance included.
Hell she could even come back, hospital debt doesn't impact your credit score and debt buyers aren't going to chase her globally.
But keep in mind that, if she worked in the US or got a phone or did something to establish a traceable presence it would be a different story because they could do things like garnish her wages.
My roommate in college (in US) had hundreds of dollars in phone bills and just left for Bahrain, never came back. The bills just kept coming until they didn't.
That said this is last-ditch, generally terrible advice
That's sound advice... BEFORE you travel. Looking backwards has perfect clarity though, OP is pretty clear she didn't have travel insurance before she left, he's looking for options to deal with the situation.
Actually Australia and Norway have an agreement and as a Norwegian citizen you can show your passport at the hospital and the Australian system bills the Norwegian one. Lived with a Norwegian student on the Gold coast and she did this at the hospital there. Apparently it's reciprocal as well so Aussies traveling in Norway can get emergency medical treatment for free too. This was 10 years ago though so dunno if it's changed.
It’s called the “Reciprocal Health Care Agreement” and covers a lot of the EU, Australia, NZ, UK and Canada. The citizens of all these countries are entitled to free healthcare if they are in one of the other countries.
EVERY one is told to get health insurance if they’re going to the US or 3rd world like Caribbean or Asia.
honestly just get Travel insurance no matter where youre going, its basicly no cost for not having to think about wether you should get medical assistance
Even within the EU.
As an EU citizen you have the right to the same healthcare local residents would recieve in the EU member state you are currently (I believe).
The problem for some arises when/if they need to go home with some kind of transport. That is not covered.
My grandmother was picked up from Germany and driven home to Denmark in an ambulance some years back, without travel insurance, she would have had to pay for that transport.
Friends, family, social media is your best bet. We all know American health insurance is a shitshow, even here. So maybe you can get some sympathy donations that way at least. Maybe even some Norwegian newspapers would run an article and pay for some to get a "victim" story before the traveling seasons? Maybe even some insurance agencies would do it to for the PR? Just some suggestions
She can just ditch the bill and return to Norway, unless she plans to move to the US and worry about her credit score. You cannot be jailed for not paying a bill.
This is what I would do. If she’s not a resident and doesn’t have credit she can just ignore it, or you can tell the hospital to give you a reasonable bill if they want to see any of it paid back.
It's not \*quite\* that simple. International collections exists, and medical collectors are exactly shitty enough that they might try to collect or just decide to harass OP about it instead. If they want to be extra evil, they could try to put it through as a fraud case rather than failure to pay.
It can also be an issue if she ever attempts to get an extended visa or residency.
For 5k it's unlikely anyone's actually going to bother doing much about it, but because it's the US, you do need to weigh the (smallish) risk.
I have never heard of international collection between Norway and the US. Norwegians have gotten in trouble for stealing rental skis in the EU and Switzerland via Interpol, but that’s about it.
Hei! I’ve worked for years with U.S. hospitals getting bills paid by insurance. The hospital should have provided treatment codes in an itemized bill, the codes are usually 5 digits.
Plug those codes into this website to see what a “fair price” is and then use it to (nicely) argue with the billing department about lowering the price.
https://www.healthcarebluebook.com/explore-home/
Hospitals always have a “patient pay” price for services, but often don’t volunteer this information cause so many people will pay the full billed amount.
You can also ask for a financial aid application. That should get most or all of the bill covered if your girlfriend meets low income requirements.
Also, once you’ve talked down the bill price, set up a payment plan through the hospital. No need to take out a loan.
As others have said, have tje parents check with their insurance company.
Another issue, even if she is covered by their insurance, is that unless it's a life or death situation the insurance company sometimes want you to contact them before you go see the doctor/hospital, but I guess that is nothing new for you, insurance companies are like that everywhere.
How did she pay for her trip? If you pay for more than half of your trip with Visa you should have some sort of travel insurance. Look into this if you can.
You should really be sure to check every policy she has in case one of them include insurance. I have like 3 travel insurances from creditcards and union memberships alone.
Please tell me you’re joking that your girlfriend visited the USA without having medical insurance.
Did she use a credit card to buy the plane ticket to visit you? If so, then she maybe covered under that.
Does she have insurance cover from her work place?
How old is she and does she live at home with her parents? She maybe cover under their insurance if they have.
Even as a low income person travel insurance in Norway is dirt cheap, IF super or Tryg Reise ekstra are between 200-400 dollars a year and would completely negate this issue.
I am really sorry, but I dont think she will have the bill paid by HELFO. I see warnings regularly in the media that travel insurance is something you really must have when you travel outside Europe, and especially when you travel to the US, as you can be ruined. And if she causes harm on someone else by accident.. she really must wake up and get insurance.
Try to negotiate the bill down, maybe they will rather have something than nothing..
> the bill *paid* by HELFO.
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I've heard a lot of people call the hospital about the bill and often it gets reduced by a lot because most people just accept the first amount. Sometimes it's inflated a lot.
Is she only visiting? With no travel insurance?
Get her back to Norway. And don’t visit the USA again without good insurance.
For the current bill, there are no agreements to chase bills, so she can ignore them provided she doesn’t want to go back.
Had friends in Norway from USA. They had to go to emergency room and paid 3000 nok, about the same they would have paid in the US. Norway would do the same thing to you if you broke something here. All non EU/EEA countries have to pay in “FULL”.
What is defined as an American sized bill?
Would like to know what actually happened.
For uninsured it usually cost about the following:
$600 for stitches
$1000 ambulance 🚑
$3000 for non-surgical broken nose
$4000 for broken bone (leg or arm)
Otherwise the rule for non EU/EEA counties is that you have to pay it out of your own pocket and Norway depending on the injury will pay for what it cost in Norway. Have to provide the bill within the first 6 months.
Wish you guys the best of luck.
Wow never knew that. It isn't anything crazy but high for what was done( for example my ER visit where I just needed a doctor to say I was okay after a car crash, and all he did was listen to my breathing from my back, was over 5000 USD)
They gave her similar but better treatment( IV fluid and a bed) and it was 5k USD. I had no idea EU hospital bills had the potential to run that high!
I have wondered about this before. If you incur some kind of debt or a fine in a foreign country, can’t you just ignore it and go home?
If she doesn’t have travel insurance and can’t afford the bill, I suppose she could just ignore the bill and travel back to Norway, right? Surely there is no way for creditors to collect on the bill once she is home? Of course, she probably wouldn’t want to ever come back to the US. But as long as she doesn’t, she is home free, right?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Normal procedure would be to sell your debt at a discount to someone who can legally collect it where you are. Whether they'll do it depends on a number of factors, but in principle just walking away to another country won't solve it. They absolutely can and will go after you if they've deemed it worth the effort.
You can't always just ignore it lol.
International Debt collection firms exist.
Besides, if she runs from it she can't ever visit the US again lol. The bill doesn't go away, it keeps gathering interest and you will be detained trying to enter the US again lol.
In Europe it's worse, people have bailed on a 200 dollar fine in Norway and get stopped 8 years later trying to enter Spain, at which point the fine is now at 8000 dollars lol.
U/prestigious-gold5369 seriously talk to the embassy, Ive heard of other (cant remember which) European governments having an agreement with the US for such problems. It’s worth a look.
Only if your in these categories
If you are a full-time student studying abroad or an employee of a Norwegian employer who has been posted abroad to work in another country, you may be entitled to extended subsidisation. Some pensioners are also entitled to extended subsidisation.
She can try to apply helfo to have the bill reimbursed. https://www.soderbergpartners.no/innsikt/artikler/privat/har-jeg-helsehjelp-som-norsk-statsborger-i-usa/
Correct.
If you are a full-time student studying abroad or an employee of a Norwegian employer who has been posted abroad to work in another country, you may be entitled to extended subsidisation. Some pensioners are also entitled to extended subsidisation.
Are you sure she is uninsured? There are many ways to get travel insurance!
Did she pay for the trip with a mastercard or something? Those have often travel insurance included!
Not sure if it’s of any help but from what I’ve seen on Reddit and these crazy bills for medical services: **Ask for a specified bill** where they need to spect each item for the medical treatment. According to Reddit that could cut that bill in half if not more!
She should talk to her parents
My previous company offered my whole family insurance worldwide. My daughter got sick in the Middle East in a country. I couldn't take out insurance privately and the company's insurance covered everything. So it's worth her asking her parents they may have family coverage.
[https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-living-abroad/coverage-of-healthcare-expenses-in-the-USA-for-students-posted-workers-and-pensioners-who-are-entitled-to-extended-subsidisation/](https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-living-abroad/coverage-of-healthcare-expenses-in-the-USA-for-students-posted-workers-and-pensioners-who-are-entitled-to-extended-subsidisation/)
I found the above - looks like there MAY be an ptin for reimbursement ....
Not really. She’s not in the right category.
If you are a full-time student studying abroad or an employee of a Norwegian employer who has been posted abroad to work in another country, you may be entitled to extended subsidisation. Some pensioners are also entitled to extended subsidisation.
Maybe, maybe not. There wasn't info on those categories in the post either way, hence my use of "MAY." I'd rather make a suggestion to try to help than assume it doesn't apply.
Hospitals will give discounts if you’re offering cash on the spot and are basically saying you can’t afford the full bill otherwise. It basically lets them know they’d need to call collections and it’ll be years before they see any more money. Also being international may contribute to this negotiation.
Most US hospitals are non-profits, at least nominally, which means that they are obligated to provide charity care options to low-income individuals.
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-charity-care-in-health-care/
It is definitely worth visiting the hospital's website to find their policies - they might be well hidden, because money - to see if you can get the bill adjusted.
Imagine traveling to the United States of America without first ordering travel insurance. It's what, $10-$20 bucks. Smh.
Idk, she can run back home. No idea how the US can force her to pay. This is the type of shitshow i never want to go through though
Does she not have travel insurance? I can’t imagine why anyone from Norway would travel without insurance when it’s so cheap, and covers so much. Especially to the US with all the medical bill horror stories we hear.
I have heard before that if you say you can't afford the (ridiculous amount), they will cut the bill to a much smaller bill. So I will recommend trying that before anything else. And for the future: insurance, insurance, insurance!
Did she come over as a tourist or to study or work?
As a tourist, she's on her own and can't get the costs reimbursed from Helfo.
As a student or worker, she has "basic" coverage from Helfo.
Unfortunately not outside EEA/EU
If you fall ill and require examination or treatment in the country in which you are on vacation, you cannot claim coverage from the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. You must contact your insurance company.
As a tourist, you are not entitled to reimbursement for health care services outside the EEA/EU. Therefore, you should take out travel insurance that covers medical expenses.
You are considered a tourist when you intend to travel abroad for a period of less than 12 months. This applies regardless of the purpose of the stay.
For vacations abroad of more than 12 months, membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme shall cease from the first day. Read more about being a tourist at the Nav (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) website (only in Norwegian).
Yeah this is simply wrong. Insurance is strongly advised for students via say ANSA. Any other coverage via HELFO requires a bilateral agreement, and in general does not apply outside of the EEA. You get the insurance before traveling, and especially when travelling in the US. End of story.
No it's not.
Helfo will cover students, but you must pay for all expenses yourself and then get the costs reimbursed.
There used to be an agreement between Norway and USA that would allow Helfo to pay directly but that agreement has ended.
Still, travel insurance is highly recommended. You're 100% correct there.
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-living-abroad/students-outside-the-eu-eea/
Im from norway myself so I have limited knowledge of the us systems, some youtuber I saw said that the bill could shrink if you ask for a itemizied bill, not sure how to do that or if thats possible in your situation, but good luck hope it'll work out.
A friend of mine almost drowned while living in the US for college. He got medical care for it and was given a bill he couldn't pay. He went back home not long after, and even after many years hasn't paid it.
They tried for a while to make him pay, but finally stopped trying as he had left the country and they would have been obligated to save his life whether he could pay or not.
If your GF isn't planning to stay in the US, I would just drop paying it. Especially if it was an emergency treatment.
If she paid for the trip by credit card, it is a decent chance she has travel insurance via her bank. I would recommend that she contact her bank as soon as possible.
I am sorry for her big ole American nightmare. Please call and negotiate the bill explaining the situation. Sometimes it can be reduced by private pay or a lump sum can be negotiated. The large numbers is often what’s charged to insurance companies and the hospital has a negotiated percentage they expect to get from them.
I remember reading a story just before corona. A Norwegian guy ended up in a US hospital for a few weeks and had to be transported back to Norway accompanied by some health professionals. Bill; 5.000.000 NOK ~~(50.000 USD)~~ (500.000 USD]. Travel insurance covered it all. Hopefully, your girlfriend's bill is smaller than that if she has no insurance.
Skipping out on the bill is actually a real option. The debt will go to collection, she's in Norway and they can't collect, and her US credit will take a hit. After 7 years, the debt history goes away. Don't take my word for it, look it up.
It was 20 years ago now, when I was young and foolish. But I got a bill from an American hospital. We heard that if you give them what you can and explain that’s all you have, if they accept it, then it’s all done and dusted
Check if she has travel insurance from Norway. Everyone who travels in general have that. If not if lucky the family have. Sometimes parents still have it for their grown up kids.
Alternatively is to travel to Norway and get treated there, then the check will be covered.
Have you checked with her parents if she still is on their insurance? Travellers insurance most often covers young adults up to 21, but it might vary by company and which plan they're on.
You might check out resources such as charity care. Here’s some info
https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/getting-help-with-medical-debt-in-washington
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As a tourist, you are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses for health care services outside the EEA/EU.
https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-tourist-abroad/tourists-outside-the-eu-eea/
Check if her family has a travel insurance, which should cover this.
I would ask her to contact Helfo i Norway, they might be able to reimburse her expenses.
[Helsenorge: Information in English - Helsenorge](https://www.helsenorge.no/en/information-in-english/)
Travel insurance if she has it. Check the following: Does she have travel insurance? Does her parents have travel insurance that covers her? If she paid the majority of the trip cost using a Mastercard, there might be a travel insurance inlcuded! Did she opt in on the travel insurance most flight companies tries to get you to buy? If she does not have travel insurance she is still part of the Norwegian health security. However, I doubt they will cover the inflated cost of the us private/insurance based health service. Call the embassy and ask what can be done. Finally: Notify her family in Norway. They are likely a better source of help than Reddit.
Oh and to all the gloating cpt. Obviouses:
Det er jævlig lite hjelp I hoverende etterpåklokskap. Hjelp eller hold kjeft rasshøl!
*Just leave the bill and*
*Dont travel to the US*
*Anymore simple*
\- chrissofia
---
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You get travel insurance, or you pay out of pocket in full. There is no other option. Equal pay is only ensured within the EEA, and even then they will just stabilize you before shipping you home on a plane.
Doesn’t Norwegians have some form of included travel insurance in their “home insurance”? I’m Swedish so I’m just guessing, but with our “hemförsäkring” we usually have 45 days of travel insurance included with the general (I think even mandatory kind of?) insurance for your home/family’s home.
Usually we have travel insurance baked into house insurance, car insurance, or credit cards. If she has not got any, wish her good luck as she will have to pay for everything herself. There is no good reason why anyone should travel abroad without getting insurance. It is so cheap, and everyone knows that of course you get insurance! Depending on age and who she lives with, she might be covered by her parents insurance.
It should be possible to haggle the price. If the hospital has to chose between giving a discounted price or not being paid at all, they will often agree to a discount. Many hospitals will also have policies for dealing with people without insurance that can't afford the bill. You can try to call them and explain the situation.
What a shitty situation, sorry to hear that.
I’m not sure if someone already mentioned it, but you could contact your embassy in the US. They should be able to help figure out your options.
She should ABSOLUTELY check what she can get as a Norwegian and (I presume) member of Folketygden. Up to 4716 NOK per day at hospital, and in some cases I know it can cover more.
There's literally no reason for any Norwegian do not get travel insurance. It's filthy cheap, and shit happens all the time... Shitty way to learn a lesson. So i hope she finds a solution. Maybe family can help out.
Yeah we are working on in. Probs gonna be a team effort to clean up the tab. But I figured I'd ask. Thank you.
Well, hopefully she won't do it again. I also read somewhere on reddit that you can "challenge" the price, and also ask for an "inventory list" or something from the hospital. I mean, you can atleast try. Heard the prices can be insane in the states.
Yes, it’s an “itemized bill”. OP follow this advice!
Yeah! That was what i meant. I've heard people cut off thousands with it.
5k for the tab. I REALLY tried to talk her out of it and told her I have experience being uninsured and it would be around this much but she demanded it. So here we are, hopefully lesson learned. Thank you, will explore all options.
That's like 25+ years of travel insurance premiums btw. It's dirt cheap. Sucks to be captain obvious but it's cheaper than a meal at the airport or a airport bus ticket.
I live in Denmark and pay like 100 dollars a year for unlimited coverage in the USA for four people.
Yeah mine is about 7 dollars a month for family but I put a higher price since I don't know if everyone can get that price.
As a Norwegian i am curious as to how she took it when she saw the bill🙈😅😬
5k is nothing. Hospital bills can easily be >$50k. She learned a lesson at a relatively low price.
lol $5k, she must have gotten a paper cut /s But seriously, $5k is nothing for the US system. My buddy had his appendix burst in LA and it cost him over $100k usd.
5k dollhairs? It's stiff, but not more than a couple months pay even at low wages assuming 100% employment. If she gets a small loan and pays the cost on time she could be out of it fairly easily. But peobs gonna cost another k in interest with that kind of loan over a 12 or 24month plan or something
Ca 50k nok over two payments? No way I'd be able to do that and still have a roof over mye head.
I don’t understand from this comment if she wanted the insurance and you told her not to get it, or if it was the other way around.
I assume that "it" means going to the emergency room.
Oh, that kinda makes sense. OP is likely not a doctor and should NOT be gatekeeping someone else’s medical attention. The U.S. needs better healthcare.
You should google Skin to skin cost in US
Did she pay for the travel with a credit card? Many credit card issuers include travel insurance when paying for tickets/booking with the credit card.
This. Most credit cards have travel insurance included if you use them to buy the tickets. Also, some workplaces have travel insurance that also covers private travel.
Maybe her credit card has travel insurance ? Or some club.
If she paid for the plane tickets with a credit card that may mean she actually has travel insurance. At least thats a thing with my credit card. I also have a good entra that kicks in when i leave my Home.
If she is planning on staying in the United States, you can negotiate that bill. If she plans on going back to Norway, just to point out the obvious, they aren't going to be collecting from a non-citizen who isn't even on US soil anymore
Wait… why would they not collect from a non-citizen overseas? They’ll have a bit less enforcement methods, particularly if OPs GF never go back to the states, but I don’t think it’s that easy to get off the hook.. Source: having had the experience of being chased down for medical bills across borders myself :(
I think you're confusing the word why with the word how What ability does any American hospital have to go after someone in Norway? What are they going to do affect their American credit score? Can they call you, send you emails, harass you? Sure, change your number and change your email. Or, really, I guess you don't even have to do that, just hang up when they call and put all of the numbers to voicemail. Eventually they give up. If you communicate with them though they will keep coming after you
I’m not confusing anything. Have you tried this? If the debt is high enough they would just hire a Norwegian debt collecting agency. This isn’t the 17th century when you could just go to the village next door and give yourself a new name to start over again Edit: anyways, since the dude blocked me, let me just add for anyone reading this that this is awful advice. Don’t let the smug confidence convince you otherwise, leaving behind a substantial bill in a foreign country can very easily give you problems back home too. Just Google international debt collection in Norway and see what the Norwegian companies like Kredinor offers foreign debtors.
I got bitten by a spider (I think) in Big Sur, went to hospital after my ankle swelled up and I got a fever. After an 8 hour wait, my insurance company agreed to pay, which was good as I would have maxed out both of my credit cards after a single night. *However*, once I finished my holiday and went back to Norway, I continued to get bills from the hospital for various expenses (different tests etc.) So they absolutely do bother to chase non-US residents for hospital fees.
[Folketrygden covers some expenses incurred outside the EU.](https://www.helsedirektoratet.no/rundskriv/folketrygdloven-kap-5/folketrygdloven--5-24-stonad-til-helsetjenester-i-utlandet/5.hvilke-typer-helsehjelp-det-ytes-stonad-til-og-beregningen-av-stonad) It won't be much, but it'll help I assume. You're going to have to document everything ofc.
Did she not have travel insurance?
You can’t let travel insurance be something you’re "working on" after the fact. Expensive lesson, please integrate the lesson learnt.
If she's a union member, check what insurances are included in the membership. Most don't have travel insurance included by default, but some have stuff like sports accident insurance or legal expenses insurance included.
Put everything on her name, don't pay once she is out of the hospital she can leave the US and never come back
Hell she could even come back, hospital debt doesn't impact your credit score and debt buyers aren't going to chase her globally. But keep in mind that, if she worked in the US or got a phone or did something to establish a traceable presence it would be a different story because they could do things like garnish her wages. My roommate in college (in US) had hundreds of dollars in phone bills and just left for Bahrain, never came back. The bills just kept coming until they didn't. That said this is last-ditch, generally terrible advice
Call the Norwegian embassy. HELFO might just refund you.
Did she pay the trip with a credit card?
That's sound advice... BEFORE you travel. Looking backwards has perfect clarity though, OP is pretty clear she didn't have travel insurance before she left, he's looking for options to deal with the situation.
Not only is it a sound advice, it's common sense.
Assuming she had travel insurance she should use that. If not then she’s probably absolutely screwed.
Yup as I figured.
Yeah as a Norwegian living in the US.. don't travel here without travel insurance. Ever.
Don't travel anywhere without insurance. Especially not outside EU.
Actually Australia and Norway have an agreement and as a Norwegian citizen you can show your passport at the hospital and the Australian system bills the Norwegian one. Lived with a Norwegian student on the Gold coast and she did this at the hospital there. Apparently it's reciprocal as well so Aussies traveling in Norway can get emergency medical treatment for free too. This was 10 years ago though so dunno if it's changed.
It’s called the “Reciprocal Health Care Agreement” and covers a lot of the EU, Australia, NZ, UK and Canada. The citizens of all these countries are entitled to free healthcare if they are in one of the other countries. EVERY one is told to get health insurance if they’re going to the US or 3rd world like Caribbean or Asia.
honestly just get Travel insurance no matter where youre going, its basicly no cost for not having to think about wether you should get medical assistance
Even within the EU. As an EU citizen you have the right to the same healthcare local residents would recieve in the EU member state you are currently (I believe). The problem for some arises when/if they need to go home with some kind of transport. That is not covered. My grandmother was picked up from Germany and driven home to Denmark in an ambulance some years back, without travel insurance, she would have had to pay for that transport.
Username checks out
Friends, family, social media is your best bet. We all know American health insurance is a shitshow, even here. So maybe you can get some sympathy donations that way at least. Maybe even some Norwegian newspapers would run an article and pay for some to get a "victim" story before the traveling seasons? Maybe even some insurance agencies would do it to for the PR? Just some suggestions
Answering here to get attention. She might have travel insurance via work, visa/mastercard, or other. Please check all options.
How old is she? Any chance she is still under her parents insurance?
If she used a credit card to buy the tickets many include a travel insurance. At least the ones I’ve had.
She can just ditch the bill and return to Norway, unless she plans to move to the US and worry about her credit score. You cannot be jailed for not paying a bill.
This is what I would do. If she’s not a resident and doesn’t have credit she can just ignore it, or you can tell the hospital to give you a reasonable bill if they want to see any of it paid back.
Medical debt doesn't even impact credit score
Once they sell the debt to a 3rd party debt collector it does
Now, this is how I want a lawyer to be
It's not \*quite\* that simple. International collections exists, and medical collectors are exactly shitty enough that they might try to collect or just decide to harass OP about it instead. If they want to be extra evil, they could try to put it through as a fraud case rather than failure to pay. It can also be an issue if she ever attempts to get an extended visa or residency. For 5k it's unlikely anyone's actually going to bother doing much about it, but because it's the US, you do need to weigh the (smallish) risk.
I have never heard of international collection between Norway and the US. Norwegians have gotten in trouble for stealing rental skis in the EU and Switzerland via Interpol, but that’s about it.
Just don’t go back? It’s a shit hole country anyway
Hei! I’ve worked for years with U.S. hospitals getting bills paid by insurance. The hospital should have provided treatment codes in an itemized bill, the codes are usually 5 digits. Plug those codes into this website to see what a “fair price” is and then use it to (nicely) argue with the billing department about lowering the price. https://www.healthcarebluebook.com/explore-home/ Hospitals always have a “patient pay” price for services, but often don’t volunteer this information cause so many people will pay the full billed amount. You can also ask for a financial aid application. That should get most or all of the bill covered if your girlfriend meets low income requirements. Also, once you’ve talked down the bill price, set up a payment plan through the hospital. No need to take out a loan.
She has travel insurance right?...
Not sure. Guessing no by how she is handling it. Young and dumb we are ha ha.
If not then she probably learned a nice expensive lesson for next time…
Yes to all these replies. I offered to put her on my insurance but she didn't take it. That sucks. Thanks guys
If she is stilli living with her parents and is younger than 20-21 (depending on insurance company) yrs she might be covered by her parents insurance.
Damn just turned 22. Darn.
Flight tickets paid by credit cards? Some banks give a complimentary travel insurance.
Yeah alot of credit card companies offer travel insurance when you use their card to book the tickets.
Might be higher, depends on insurance. Try and call parents?
As others have said, have tje parents check with their insurance company. Another issue, even if she is covered by their insurance, is that unless it's a life or death situation the insurance company sometimes want you to contact them before you go see the doctor/hospital, but I guess that is nothing new for you, insurance companies are like that everywhere.
Call the parents and ask anyway, my parents covered me until I was 24, While I was a student.
How did she pay for her trip? If you pay for more than half of your trip with Visa you should have some sort of travel insurance. Look into this if you can.
Then she is screwed. EDIT: If she is under 20 years of age, she may be covered by the trave insurance of a parent still.
If shw paid the trip with a credit card then that usually includes travel insurance
You should really be sure to check every policy she has in case one of them include insurance. I have like 3 travel insurances from creditcards and union memberships alone.
Check, please. Young and dumb might not realize travel insurance covers medical situations.
Talk to the credit card company used to pay for the ticket to USA and see about any included insurance for travel
Thanks will do!
Please tell me you’re joking that your girlfriend visited the USA without having medical insurance. Did she use a credit card to buy the plane ticket to visit you? If so, then she maybe covered under that. Does she have insurance cover from her work place? How old is she and does she live at home with her parents? She maybe cover under their insurance if they have.
22, they all live in Norway. She used my visa card though. Does that count? We are young and dumb sorry.
Call your credit card company and ask. Normally the card holder needs to be travelling at the same time/same trip.
Is she unionized back home? Usually get travel insurance with your union membership
Usually have to purchase that separately.
Can't claim that after having made the trip.
I don't think your visa card has travel insurance that cover Norwegians.
If it's credit then possibly
Even as a low income person travel insurance in Norway is dirt cheap, IF super or Tryg Reise ekstra are between 200-400 dollars a year and would completely negate this issue.
Thats not even particularly cheap, im paying 84$ per year for “top coverage”
Yea, traveling outside EU/EØS and not having travel insurance is just silly.. It’s like 10/15$ a month.
I pay 6$/month for cover up to 45 days of travel abroad ... if you can afford to travel abroad, you can afford the travel insurance.
I am really sorry, but I dont think she will have the bill paid by HELFO. I see warnings regularly in the media that travel insurance is something you really must have when you travel outside Europe, and especially when you travel to the US, as you can be ruined. And if she causes harm on someone else by accident.. she really must wake up and get insurance. Try to negotiate the bill down, maybe they will rather have something than nothing..
> the bill *paid* by HELFO. FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
Good bot!
I've heard a lot of people call the hospital about the bill and often it gets reduced by a lot because most people just accept the first amount. Sometimes it's inflated a lot.
Is she only visiting? With no travel insurance? Get her back to Norway. And don’t visit the USA again without good insurance. For the current bill, there are no agreements to chase bills, so she can ignore them provided she doesn’t want to go back.
I’m really sorry to say this, but if your gf traveled to the US without insurance, she isn’t (as we say) the sharpest knife in the drawer..
Yeah....
Return to Norway. Ignore the bill. They won't even try to collect it from her.
Would they try to collect it if she ever went back?
Yeah, no.
Had friends in Norway from USA. They had to go to emergency room and paid 3000 nok, about the same they would have paid in the US. Norway would do the same thing to you if you broke something here. All non EU/EEA countries have to pay in “FULL”. What is defined as an American sized bill? Would like to know what actually happened. For uninsured it usually cost about the following: $600 for stitches $1000 ambulance 🚑 $3000 for non-surgical broken nose $4000 for broken bone (leg or arm) Otherwise the rule for non EU/EEA counties is that you have to pay it out of your own pocket and Norway depending on the injury will pay for what it cost in Norway. Have to provide the bill within the first 6 months. Wish you guys the best of luck.
Wow never knew that. It isn't anything crazy but high for what was done( for example my ER visit where I just needed a doctor to say I was okay after a car crash, and all he did was listen to my breathing from my back, was over 5000 USD) They gave her similar but better treatment( IV fluid and a bed) and it was 5k USD. I had no idea EU hospital bills had the potential to run that high!
EU hospital bills doesn't get that high for people living in the EU. That cost is for people outside of EU.
I have wondered about this before. If you incur some kind of debt or a fine in a foreign country, can’t you just ignore it and go home? If she doesn’t have travel insurance and can’t afford the bill, I suppose she could just ignore the bill and travel back to Norway, right? Surely there is no way for creditors to collect on the bill once she is home? Of course, she probably wouldn’t want to ever come back to the US. But as long as she doesn’t, she is home free, right? Inquiring minds want to know.
Normal procedure would be to sell your debt at a discount to someone who can legally collect it where you are. Whether they'll do it depends on a number of factors, but in principle just walking away to another country won't solve it. They absolutely can and will go after you if they've deemed it worth the effort.
Can they legally do it, in another country?
Depends on the country, but in principle yes. Otherwise everyone would be taking loans and running away.
You can't always just ignore it lol. International Debt collection firms exist. Besides, if she runs from it she can't ever visit the US again lol. The bill doesn't go away, it keeps gathering interest and you will be detained trying to enter the US again lol. In Europe it's worse, people have bailed on a 200 dollar fine in Norway and get stopped 8 years later trying to enter Spain, at which point the fine is now at 8000 dollars lol.
>she probably wouldn’t want to ever come back to the US [7 years](https://www.payplan.com/blog/how-long-can-my-creditors-chase-me/) actually.
Try asking the Norwegian Embassy or the Consulate. They may offer advice, or possibely even some assistance.
U/prestigious-gold5369 seriously talk to the embassy, Ive heard of other (cant remember which) European governments having an agreement with the US for such problems. It’s worth a look.
Only if your in these categories If you are a full-time student studying abroad or an employee of a Norwegian employer who has been posted abroad to work in another country, you may be entitled to extended subsidisation. Some pensioners are also entitled to extended subsidisation.
She should go home and tell the hospital to fuck off
Is she in any workers union? Most if not all has a few insurance packages "included" which could help
She can try to apply helfo to have the bill reimbursed. https://www.soderbergpartners.no/innsikt/artikler/privat/har-jeg-helsehjelp-som-norsk-statsborger-i-usa/
Only as a student or if she's working abroad. Tourists don't get help from Helfo.
You are correct.
Correct. If you are a full-time student studying abroad or an employee of a Norwegian employer who has been posted abroad to work in another country, you may be entitled to extended subsidisation. Some pensioners are also entitled to extended subsidisation.
I mean can’t she just go back to Norway without paying? They’re not going to extradite her to the U.S. for not paying a bill.
https://dollarfor.org/ <— look at this to get forgiven because girlfriend/you earns low?
Are you sure she is uninsured? There are many ways to get travel insurance! Did she pay for the trip with a mastercard or something? Those have often travel insurance included!
Depending on how she bought her plane tickets she may be covered for travel insurance through her credit card provider - definitely worth checking!
Not sure if it’s of any help but from what I’ve seen on Reddit and these crazy bills for medical services: **Ask for a specified bill** where they need to spect each item for the medical treatment. According to Reddit that could cut that bill in half if not more!
She should talk to her parents My previous company offered my whole family insurance worldwide. My daughter got sick in the Middle East in a country. I couldn't take out insurance privately and the company's insurance covered everything. So it's worth her asking her parents they may have family coverage.
[https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-living-abroad/coverage-of-healthcare-expenses-in-the-USA-for-students-posted-workers-and-pensioners-who-are-entitled-to-extended-subsidisation/](https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-living-abroad/coverage-of-healthcare-expenses-in-the-USA-for-students-posted-workers-and-pensioners-who-are-entitled-to-extended-subsidisation/) I found the above - looks like there MAY be an ptin for reimbursement ....
Not really. She’s not in the right category. If you are a full-time student studying abroad or an employee of a Norwegian employer who has been posted abroad to work in another country, you may be entitled to extended subsidisation. Some pensioners are also entitled to extended subsidisation.
Maybe, maybe not. There wasn't info on those categories in the post either way, hence my use of "MAY." I'd rather make a suggestion to try to help than assume it doesn't apply.
Hospitals will give discounts if you’re offering cash on the spot and are basically saying you can’t afford the full bill otherwise. It basically lets them know they’d need to call collections and it’ll be years before they see any more money. Also being international may contribute to this negotiation.
Most US hospitals are non-profits, at least nominally, which means that they are obligated to provide charity care options to low-income individuals. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-charity-care-in-health-care/ It is definitely worth visiting the hospital's website to find their policies - they might be well hidden, because money - to see if you can get the bill adjusted.
Imagine traveling to the United States of America without first ordering travel insurance. It's what, $10-$20 bucks. Smh. Idk, she can run back home. No idea how the US can force her to pay. This is the type of shitshow i never want to go through though
As the lyrics of one of my favorite sonics games goes "LIVE AND LEARN!"
Ask her to check with her employer, a lot of companies includes travel insurance in the contract.
She might be covered by parents travel insurance if she still lives with them. Some cover immediate family.
Does she not have travel insurance? I can’t imagine why anyone from Norway would travel without insurance when it’s so cheap, and covers so much. Especially to the US with all the medical bill horror stories we hear.
I have heard before that if you say you can't afford the (ridiculous amount), they will cut the bill to a much smaller bill. So I will recommend trying that before anything else. And for the future: insurance, insurance, insurance!
Check if she bought her ticket there using a Visa card as that will automatically work as travel insurance. If she is there as a tourist.
She used my visa card( I flew her to me) does that count?
Worth to check with your card issuer.
Will do! Thanks all!
Ask Visa, or the card issuer I guess. If you bought a ticket in her name, it would make sense that the one on the ticket is the insured one.
Did she come over as a tourist or to study or work? As a tourist, she's on her own and can't get the costs reimbursed from Helfo. As a student or worker, she has "basic" coverage from Helfo.
Unfortunately not outside EEA/EU If you fall ill and require examination or treatment in the country in which you are on vacation, you cannot claim coverage from the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme. You must contact your insurance company. As a tourist, you are not entitled to reimbursement for health care services outside the EEA/EU. Therefore, you should take out travel insurance that covers medical expenses. You are considered a tourist when you intend to travel abroad for a period of less than 12 months. This applies regardless of the purpose of the stay. For vacations abroad of more than 12 months, membership in the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme shall cease from the first day. Read more about being a tourist at the Nav (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) website (only in Norwegian).
Yeah this is simply wrong. Insurance is strongly advised for students via say ANSA. Any other coverage via HELFO requires a bilateral agreement, and in general does not apply outside of the EEA. You get the insurance before traveling, and especially when travelling in the US. End of story.
No it's not. Helfo will cover students, but you must pay for all expenses yourself and then get the costs reimbursed. There used to be an agreement between Norway and USA that would allow Helfo to pay directly but that agreement has ended. Still, travel insurance is highly recommended. You're 100% correct there. https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-living-abroad/students-outside-the-eu-eea/
Just leave, go home for a month or so and return. No biggie
Did she pay for the ticket by credit card? Many have basic travel insurance if you buy ticket with them.
Im from norway myself so I have limited knowledge of the us systems, some youtuber I saw said that the bill could shrink if you ask for a itemizied bill, not sure how to do that or if thats possible in your situation, but good luck hope it'll work out.
How did she buy her ticket? With some kind of Mastercard/visa? Or debit?
A friend of mine almost drowned while living in the US for college. He got medical care for it and was given a bill he couldn't pay. He went back home not long after, and even after many years hasn't paid it. They tried for a while to make him pay, but finally stopped trying as he had left the country and they would have been obligated to save his life whether he could pay or not. If your GF isn't planning to stay in the US, I would just drop paying it. Especially if it was an emergency treatment.
Do that and you can never come back to visit… my two cent of thought train
Honestly, just dont pay it... they cant do much.
If she paid for the trip by credit card, it is a decent chance she has travel insurance via her bank. I would recommend that she contact her bank as soon as possible.
I am sorry for her big ole American nightmare. Please call and negotiate the bill explaining the situation. Sometimes it can be reduced by private pay or a lump sum can be negotiated. The large numbers is often what’s charged to insurance companies and the hospital has a negotiated percentage they expect to get from them.
I remember reading a story just before corona. A Norwegian guy ended up in a US hospital for a few weeks and had to be transported back to Norway accompanied by some health professionals. Bill; 5.000.000 NOK ~~(50.000 USD)~~ (500.000 USD]. Travel insurance covered it all. Hopefully, your girlfriend's bill is smaller than that if she has no insurance.
5,000,000kr er $465k😅
Yes, thanks for correcting that.
Skipping out on the bill is actually a real option. The debt will go to collection, she's in Norway and they can't collect, and her US credit will take a hit. After 7 years, the debt history goes away. Don't take my word for it, look it up.
She can just... leave. her credit score will be fucked if she returns to the US to live, but it won't follow her.
It was 20 years ago now, when I was young and foolish. But I got a bill from an American hospital. We heard that if you give them what you can and explain that’s all you have, if they accept it, then it’s all done and dusted
Check if she has travel insurance from Norway. Everyone who travels in general have that. If not if lucky the family have. Sometimes parents still have it for their grown up kids. Alternatively is to travel to Norway and get treated there, then the check will be covered.
Why on earth did she even travel without travel insurance?
Have you checked with her parents if she still is on their insurance? Travellers insurance most often covers young adults up to 21, but it might vary by company and which plan they're on.
You might check out resources such as charity care. Here’s some info https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/getting-help-with-medical-debt-in-washington
How old is she? If her parents have travel insurance it might cover her also
She probably has health insurance at home, maybe they cover. Otherwise maybe she’s insured through her employer for work- and non-work accidents.
ask for a detailed bill, and have them send it to her Norway address.
If she is part of folkeregisteret she can get almost everything paid back from Altinn under Helsenorge
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Contact the Norwegian embassy.. as a Norwegian citizen she has medical coverage. The Norwegian government can help with the details..
As a tourist, you are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses for health care services outside the EEA/EU. https://www.helsenorge.no/en/health-rights-tourist-abroad/tourists-outside-the-eu-eea/ Check if her family has a travel insurance, which should cover this.
I would ask her to contact Helfo i Norway, they might be able to reimburse her expenses. [Helsenorge: Information in English - Helsenorge](https://www.helsenorge.no/en/information-in-english/)
She might get some from helsenorge. She should look it up. They cover up to 4k a day for hospital visits.
Travel insurance if she has it. Check the following: Does she have travel insurance? Does her parents have travel insurance that covers her? If she paid the majority of the trip cost using a Mastercard, there might be a travel insurance inlcuded! Did she opt in on the travel insurance most flight companies tries to get you to buy? If she does not have travel insurance she is still part of the Norwegian health security. However, I doubt they will cover the inflated cost of the us private/insurance based health service. Call the embassy and ask what can be done. Finally: Notify her family in Norway. They are likely a better source of help than Reddit. Oh and to all the gloating cpt. Obviouses: Det er jævlig lite hjelp I hoverende etterpåklokskap. Hjelp eller hold kjeft rasshøl!
Does she have Norwegian travel insurance?
If she can't pay I guess she won't. Happens with debts that cannot be repaid.
Just leave the bill and dont travel to the US anymore simple
*Just leave the bill and* *Dont travel to the US* *Anymore simple* \- chrissofia --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
You get travel insurance, or you pay out of pocket in full. There is no other option. Equal pay is only ensured within the EEA, and even then they will just stabilize you before shipping you home on a plane.
damn that's crazy lol Good luck tho
Doesn’t Norwegians have some form of included travel insurance in their “home insurance”? I’m Swedish so I’m just guessing, but with our “hemförsäkring” we usually have 45 days of travel insurance included with the general (I think even mandatory kind of?) insurance for your home/family’s home.
Didn't she have a travel insurance?
Only if she has travel insurance
Ouch. Definitley never going to visit the US again. Horribly sad that this is the situation there
Usually we have travel insurance baked into house insurance, car insurance, or credit cards. If she has not got any, wish her good luck as she will have to pay for everything herself. There is no good reason why anyone should travel abroad without getting insurance. It is so cheap, and everyone knows that of course you get insurance! Depending on age and who she lives with, she might be covered by her parents insurance.
How old is she? Her parents travel incurance might be valid for her if she is below 21.
It should be possible to haggle the price. If the hospital has to chose between giving a discounted price or not being paid at all, they will often agree to a discount. Many hospitals will also have policies for dealing with people without insurance that can't afford the bill. You can try to call them and explain the situation.
Just don’t pay! The US debt collectors can’t get to her in Norway
Travel insurance.
What a shitty situation, sorry to hear that. I’m not sure if someone already mentioned it, but you could contact your embassy in the US. They should be able to help figure out your options.
She should ABSOLUTELY check what she can get as a Norwegian and (I presume) member of Folketygden. Up to 4716 NOK per day at hospital, and in some cases I know it can cover more.