I did some research on this. I am hoping others from USA will also chime in. After all USA is the safest place to get LL done.
- Worst case, even if you don't pay your medical debt, you will not be tried in court or incarcerated. Worst case it will hit your credit score. Medical debt has a statute of limitations of 7 years. So you gotta somehow survive those 7 years with poor credit. After that the credit hit goes away.
- In many cases, if you plead at the billing department of the hospital they will give you discounts. Or at least they will put you on a payment plan which gives you time to pay. Most USA hospitals are non-profit. They are not supposed to viciously go after you for every last penny.
- There is a recently passed bill called No Surprises Act. It requires the surgeon or hospital to provide a good faith estimate of the costs involved. If the costs significantly increase after surgery, there is a dispute resolution process. At least this should prevent any malicious billing done. However, this will do nothing for complications.
- For complications, PLEASE FIND AN INSURANCE WHICH COVERS COMPLICATIONS OF NON-COVERED SERVICES. I do not know which insurances offer this but search for it. And inform the forum if you find anything.
Remember that USA is a highly developed country and one of the greatest countries where healthcare can't be so bad despite the reputation.