About a year ago, I saw a program in either Dateline or 20/20. According to the program, hospital bills can be negotiated. If someone does not pay the bill, then it goes to collection agency. If the collector is able to get money from you, a huge percent of it goes to the collection agency and very little goes to the hospital. So, hospitals do negotiate with you and reduce your bills. I have heard instances where $10,000 bill has been reduced to $2000 and that also can be paid in intallments. So, talk to the billing department. Good luck.