by Jolene Toves

Guam - There are no exceptions to paying your hospital bill as administrator Joseph Verga demonstrates even he is responsible for paying down his debt.

with over $150 million in unpaid patient bills the Guam Memorial Hospital encourages patients to pay their bills on a timely basis. "I am here to pay my hospital bill...my bill is paid stamped paid they gave me a receipt with a zero balance and you also get your bill stamped paid," he explained. Verga not only shows you how to pay your bill but also warns that if it remains delinquent your tax refund could be subject garnishment. "If you do owe a hospital bill and you do not receive a bill for some reason please contact the hospital and the business office to make arrangements and we are going to show you how to do that today," he said.

Once discharged from the hospital patients will receive an itemized bill which is encouraged to be paid for prior to leaving the GMH. Payments can be made through a phone using a credit card, at the Business Office cashier window and Emergency Department cashier window. "Its right at the entrance of the Emergency Department it managed by our Patient Registration Department so patients come in they are registered here for hospital services and they can pay here for their hospital service this is open 24 hours a day seven days a week," he said.

While two spots have been designated as 10 minute bill payment parking. If you do not have time to park the curb side drop box is for check payments only. "This is a drop box that you can drive through at anytime day or night drop your payment here this is a locked box its under closed circuit camera and security," he said.

However if you cannot pay off your bill at one time as we mentioned arrangements can be made at the Business Office. The Business Office will be able to provide personal assistance with billing questions and payment plans. The office is open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and is closed on GovGuam holidays.

Verga adds that in light of recent problems with the postal service resulting in the return of 1,500 bills over the last month. It is important to keep track of how much you owe...stressing that even if you did not receive the bill doesn't mean it was not sent out.