What happens to a person who passes away and has no life insurance, money or family that can help?

Feb 18, 2007 by Curious Me | Posted in Law & Ethics

I know a lady in extremely poor health. She has no insurance, no savings, house, etc. She has 1 son who is 28 but can't hold a job longer than 2 to 3 weeks at best and expects mom to help him with everything. She has 1 living brother who lives far away from here and doesn't talk to her because he doesn't agree with the way she allows her son to drain her of everything. My question is--if she would pass away, who would be responsible for her burial? How would it be paid for? Her son doesn't even own a car. He drives hers and it isn't paid for yet. This lady rents a room and only owns a bed, chair and lamp. Not much to sell!!!!
Does anyone know what happens in a case like this? This is in the state of Iowa.

In Baltimore, MD, unclaimed bodies may end up as crash dummies:
http://www.examiner.com/a-533427~Baltimore_s_unclaimed_bodies_have_useful_future.html

"The Anatomy Act of 1832 legalized the use of the bodies of unclaimed poor people -- those who would have to be buried at government expense – by licensed anatomy schools. This law was a major model for state laws in the United States. Iowa passed its first Anatomy Act in 1872, for example, after a grave-robbing incident at the newly opened UI Medical School in Iowa City in 1870. This act allowed unclaimed bodies to be used legally for dissection in the medical schools in the state. In the 1960s and 1970s, the voluntary donation of bodies to medical schools replaced the use of those who died unclaimed."
http://www.uiowa.edu/~c016136/LectureOutlines/VesaliusOutline.htm

In the future, they may be going to a "body farm" to support research at the Univ. of Northern Iowa:
http://fp.uni.edu/northia/article2.asp?ID=4649&SECTION=1

But for now, the county is responsible for giving them a "pauper's grave". No pomp, no circumstance. I believe the Iowa Dept. of Public Health (medical examiners) call the shots on this:

"Deaths that have an impact on the “public’s interest” are routinely investigated by the County Medical Examiners under the guidance of the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner. Deaths affecting the public’s interest include...6) Unclaimed/unidentified bodies."
http://www.idph.state.ia.us/do/common/pdf/med_examiner/general.pdf

I want to be a Financial Advisor.?

Apr 08, 2007 by Kellie F | Posted in Insurance

I have my Iowa life insurance license and want to specialize in selling annuities thru seminars and lead cards. I am looking for someone to mentor me and train me. If any one has any good advise or connections with this industry please let me know.

I am part of a nationwide organization of insurance and financial advisors that offers excellent training and mentoring programs to new and existing advisors. We currently have access to multiple top rated annuity companies and insurance companies. If you're interested in finding out more about it email me at robertsonassures@yahoo.com.

Can a hospital take a widow's life ins., if health insurance doesn't provide good coverage for husband's care

Mar 18, 2008 by Georgia F | Posted in Insurance

A 40 yr. old man had a sudden catostrophic illness. Hospitalized & on a ventilator for16 days before dying. Wife left with 12 yr. old twins. The family had health ins. but not through their jobs (neither offered health ins) The hospital wanted to transfer to University hosp. because their type of ins. didn't pay well, but pt. too ill & not stable enough to transfer. She is willing to pay on bill every mos for rest of her life but would not be able to make huge payments. Can the hospital take the life ins. She recieves? Her sister's son had lukemia & was in U hosp. 7 weeks. He survived. Hospital set up pay plan of $875.00 per mos.This was 10 yrs. ago and family could not pay that amount. Hospital would not take lower mos pay & turned $500,000 debt to credit co. which has ruined their credit to this day. Can this non profit hosp. get this young widow's insurance money. They live in small rural community in Iowa where many people with jobs struggle to keep up with just regular bills.

She needs to see an attorney to find out what her legal protections are in her state. Probably the county bar has a referral program where she can go for a half-hour consult for under $100 and get an informed, accurate answer.
IF they had insurance and the hospital ACCEPTED the insurance, I do not believe they can come after her for MORE funds beyond what her co-pay or deductible were because the hospital had a CONTRACT and it's past time that contract law was enforced in the health care field. The attorney SHOULD be able to address that for her. I would also not hesitate to invite the media in to beat the living heck out of the greedy defrauders at the hospital who would NOT honor their contract. They get taxpayer-subsidized breaks and they OWE us taxpayers.
Just because the man wasn't transferred and they wanted to give him the boot is NOT the question. FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES--NOT free treatment of an illegal alien's stubbed toe in the ER as fools contend--but that people be STABILIZED and capable medically of being transported. If they aren't stable and it is too risky to transport, the LAW requires them to remain where they are. The hospital knows that but hopes this CITIZEN does not. Again, lawyer can explain that and again, the media should do its job and SHAME hospitals that terrorize citizens instead of following the law.

I see someone said life insurance was "creditor proof." That's in Canada. I don't believe that applies in IA, but again, the lawyer is the person to answer that question with authority.

I am sorry for her loss and the struggles the family has gone through. Bless you for caring and wanting to help and God bless them and all the other responsible people who pay for their own insurance, especially when the government FAILS in its DUTY to enforce the LAW and put them through untold agonies.

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