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Where in this world are those who will do medical care for someone who is willing to work off the bill?

My wife needs a hip replacement and has begged to work off the bill after we pay out of our pocket a sum of money to get the ball rolling. She WANTS to be able to go back to work, but cant till she gets that hip fixed.

Let me know if you got any ideas. Till then, she is disabled.

It is a violation of EMTALA to allow patients to 'work off a bill'. That is the wisdom of your elected representatives. The theory is if you (a physician) will do free work or for barter or for an agreed-upon price the Feds say you cannot charge the Federal Government (Medicare) less than you charge another party. If you do you have violated the law and can be fined $10,000 per claim. So, if my poor neighbor needed her gallbladder out and she has no means of paying and has no insurance, for me to say , "I will do the surgery for nothing" violates EMTALA.

My suggestion to you is to go to an orthopedist, tell him your situation, tell him you will pay the best you can. He will still be required to bill you, but if you have a prior agreement he will give you latitude. The real problem for your situation is being admitted to the hospital for elective surgery. I do not know what their position would be.

It is a violation of EMTALA and/or Medicare law to allow patients to 'work off a bill'. That is the wisdom of your elected representatives. The theory is if you (a physician) will do free work or for barter or for an agreed-upon price the Feds say you cannot charge the Federal Government (Medicare) less than you charge another party. If you do you have violated the law and can be fined $10,000 per claim. So, if my poor neighbor needed her gallbladder out and she has no means of paying and has no insurance, for me to say , "I will do the surgery for nothing" violates EMTALA.

My suggestion to you is to go to an orthopedist, tell him your situation, tell him you will pay the best you can. He will still be required to bill you, but if you have a prior agreement he will give you latitude. The real problem for your situation is being admitted to the hospital for elective surgery. I do not know what their position would be.