Qualified for full charity coverage but being billed anyways- advice needed!
On Dec. 30th 2025 I had to go to the ER at my small town hospital in WA state. In January 2026 I left my job and am now working at a place and earning significantly less. After I left my job I received my hospital & follow up care bills for ~5k. I applied for financial aid and was approved for full coverage for any visits in 2026, but was completely denied for any financial aid for my original hospital visit in December (~4.5k) because that visit occured in 2025 and they have to base my financial aid on my 2025 tax return. Very frustrating considering that if I went to the ER two days later the bill would be fully covered. The hospitals billing department says there is nothing they can do about lowering my 2025 bill.
I'm thinking about just letting the bill go to collections since it can't be reported on my credit statement and working out a deal with the collections agency to pay less, but I'm hoping to figure it out with the hospital first so any advice is appreciated.