Posted on September 8, 2008 at 12:22 pm I'm from Greece and visited my girlfriend in the States last year. I had to go to the emergency in Philadelphia (University Hospital) and pay 338 dollars in cash just to see a doctor (no surgery, nothing....) because i don't have a social security number. After months they (a collection agency) started bothering my girlfriend and called her all the time asking now for more money because apparently i still had to pay the "final" bill which was something around 1120 dollars! I refuse to pay because i think it's rediculous (i payed though the 338 dollars there) and asked them for a detailed bill that they still didn't send me (i live in Greece). I want to go back back to the States in 2 months. Is there a way that they are going to stop me at the airport or if i have a social security number later is it gonna be bad then for my credit?

Posted on September 22, 2008 at 11:36 am Wow, that is crazy.  Very expensive hospital bill. I am not sure if there will be a problem coming back to the USA. I would not think so. People have items go to collections and they aren't in any trouble with the Government. I'm not 100% sure though.

Posted on March 22, 2009 at 9:23 am I wouldn't think it would stop you from getting back into the states, but I would certainly check into that prior to trying to get back. 

Posted on April 8, 2009 at 11:18 am asterias, Why is your girlfriend being hounded for the bill? Did she co-sign at the hospital? If so, then she is lable to pay. As for you re-entering the U.S., owing money to a hospital is not grounds to bar your entry. Can they collect from you while you are here? Probably not since we don't arrest people who are debtors and keep them locked up till they pay. If you get a U.S. Social Security #, the hospital debt probably won't show up unless you somehow tied it to your Greece Social Security, or equivalent, number. Speaking of SS#s, have your girlfriend check her credit report to see if the hospital placed a negative entry about your bill on her report. My next question is why didn't you buy a traveler's policy before you left Greece. I realize this idiot country doesn't require you have one like England, Ireland and other countries but it does pay your hospital bill should you have to use their service. Traveler's policies are quite inexpensive compared to the total bill the hospital will spit out and hand to you.

Posted on April 8, 2009 at 2:36 pm Did you accepted anything in written that you will clear the complete bill even without seeing any detailed report of what all services you have used at the hospital. I think there should not be a problem while entering into US again or even later for your credit. But its better to clear the matter before it gets worst.

Posted on April 8, 2009 at 6:53 pm I don't know this.

Posted on April 9, 2009 at 12:10 am what happened with you is very sad, man. it's really very sad.