My wife got diagnosed with cancer this past June and we were uninsured. We finally got insurance through the ACA in July, but she had a $12,000 procedure done earlier in June. I set this bill up on a payment plan with the hospital but I was struggling because I left my job back in January. My wife's cancer is terminal so she requires full time care leaving me unable to seek employment at the moment.
After reading some advice here, I spoke to their billing department and asked how one might qualify for financial assistance. They sent me some paperwork in the mail asking about our situation and to provide justification along with any documentation. I provided a verification of my employment dates, my lay off notice from my employer, a copy of the unemployment payments made to me, and wrote a statement explaining my wife's cancer and my inability to join the work force.
Two weeks later they sent a notice stating we've been approved for a reduced payment of 90%, now owing approximately $1,500.
What a huge burden that's been lifted off my shoulders.
I hope this info helps someone else.
edit - People arguing with me over the semantics of the word negotiated. You're right. Wrong word to use.
The actual bill was not exactly $12,000 but very close.
As for not getting COBRA, the premium was $1,000 a month for my wife and I. She is 29 and I am 34. Both relatively healthy and have never been to the doctor. We blew it off. Blew off the ACA too. Huge mistake and life lesson harshly learned.