Medical bills with no insurance?

I went to the emergency room after having pain in my side for a week a few months ago. They did standard tests, including CAT scan, and they said they didn’t find anything serious. A week later I received a bill for over 5 thousand dollars. I sent them what they requested for a payment plan (bank statements, etc). I am willing to repay this debt but the problem is I have no medical insurance and I am a full time graduate student. I plan to graduate in june of 08 and hope to get a job soon afterwards. I am living off of a student loan but any money I have left over every month I would like to save for an emergency (car repairs, dental bills, etc) that may come up. My question is, do you think the hospital would allow me a moratorium (suspension of payments) until I graduate and secure a job (which would be in june of 08)? I am just afraid that if I can’t pay them now they will sue me or take me to court.

Medical bills with no insurance?
They will not take you to court.


Usually they'll keep a copy of what you owe on file, just in case.


Ignore the letters they'll send to your house for the next 2 or 3 months.


Worst thing a hospital can do is annoy you. They can not even legally give you a bad credit rating.