<prompt> Human: I had an sudden aortic aneurysm and had to have emergency open heart surgery and a subsequent 4 week hospital stay. Anyway, all in total the bills are about 510,000 and still going up with post operative care. I did not have insurance. For whatever the final amount is, even after discounts or negotiation, what is my best plan of action? I make about 40k a year in income but I already have rent , car payment , student loans and some CC debt, that pretty much takes most of it. I mean I could probably pay 25-200 month but is that even reasonable for such a debt? Should i think about bankruptcy ? Just let it go to collections and pay cash for everything the rest of my life? Help please!  <response>: The hospital knows that they are highly unlikely to get paid the full amount. Contact their billing department and explain the situation. Check with your most recent employer to determine whether you are eligible for COBRA. If you are, you would need to pay your entire back premium, which could be a few thousand dollars, but your out-of-pocket cost would be reduced likely by 9537; or more. 