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Hospitals, doctors, et al are highly unlikely to sue individuals who owe them money. Suing people itself costs money and it’s a crapshoot for hospitals to go to court against individuals. Here’s one thing that puts hospitals at a disadvantage: it is illegal for a hospital to turn people away from their emergency rooms. So, if an uninsured person is brought in unconscious and cared for, that person could later argue, “I wouldn't’t have asked for medical care I can’t pay for, but I was unconscious and the hospital treated me.” Anyone who owes a hospital money and is being badgered by calls and is worried about his credit, should go to a lawyer who specializes in debt negotiation. Hospitals are often happy to take a very small percentage of a debt as full payment because so many people don’t pay their bills at all. Some hospitals will stop badgering you completely if you call with a tale of woe. I know someone personally who had a baby out of wedlock at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. When she got the bill, she called and said, “I have no husband, no income...” Cedars said, “OK, and dropped the whole thing.” I’d tell anyone who wants to declare bankruptcy on account of medical bills that that is nuts. In answer to your question: even someone with good income and good credit is highly unlikely to be sued over medical bills. And if someone like that is sued, a lawyer could make it all go away for a significant chunk less than the total amount owed.

I work for the Federal Government now, but in the 70s, I practiced law in Georgia, and did some debt collection work. It is amazing how you can find assets. Most poor people have cars that are worth something, and I have levied on them, houses, and garnisheed wages. Also, I was a Judge of the Small Claims Court for two years, and it only cost $22 for any firm or individual to sue, get a judgment. If the individual ever owns anything in the county where the judgment is recorded, it attaches to the property. Sure, there are “judgment proof” individuals, but it is generally worth it to try to collect. Times must have changed a lot. Also, it may be that garnishment is harder in places like California.

All these deadbeats not paying their bills drives up insurance, and other costs for the people that pay. Something needs to be done here.