6 months till I file- what about future medical/dental expenses?

[whattodointx]

Hi there,

We finally spoke to an attorney today and apparently we need to wait about 6 months to get our median income down a bit and to put some space on recent cc activity.

My question is, what are we to do about medical/dental bills that pop up between now and when we need to file? I mean, a lot of our debt has been from medical in the past, so it is likely that we will have more in the next 6 months.

Will it hurt us to stop charging on the cc's, but to still rack up medical expenses during this period?

It is Friday and I can't call the attorney...

Thanks!

[Trixie007]

I just had surgery in January and plan to pay those bills, but our attorney told us we should just include them when we file in a few months. Seems like recent medical bills aren't viewed the same as recent cc charges!

[kennyg]

yes, i have similar questions. I am about to file. Should i stop using credit card. I am using it now for daily activities, my charges are not more than $100 each and they are for necessary stuff (food, gas, etc)

[StartingOver08]

Stop using your credit cards.

[whattodointx]

Anyone else with knowledge about this issue? Thanks in advance!

[Flamingo]

Put your situation in perspective. You know you are going to file and should not be using credit cards for debt that you accumulate during that time as you know you will not be paying it back. In fact you have been informed to wait to file by an attorney for credit card activity. Are you still making minimum payments on the cards or have stopped paying? If the dental is for items such as teeth cleaning, minor work, that can be postponed until after filing when you are in a better place. Are the medical appointments or anything major dental that may be looming covered by insurance? What do you expect to occur as to medical items between now and filing? Are they just minor office visits or major necessary surgery?

I am just pointing out some things to you to put your situation in perspective as to what may be necessary and not necessary during the time before you file. Your credit card usuage will be viewed for several months before filing and you have already been told to wait to file due to previous usage. You could mess things up if you continue to use the cards for anything.

[Flamingo]

Forgot to mention, as to your question as to medical debt that may be accumulated prior to filing not put on credit cards, if the bills are for medically necessary items that cannot be avoided, and there is a bill you cannot pay for those services not covered by insurance, bring it up to your attorney. What is looked for during the period prior to filing are bills incurred without the intent to pay them back. If you incur bills for teeth cleaning or other non-necessary visits that can be postponed due to a non-emergency situation, they can be viewed as bills incurred without the intent to pay. Again, put your situation in perspective as to what you have been advised and if still in doubt, check back with the attorney you consulted with.

[whattodointx]

Flamingo- thanks for your response. I have a large family and I know that in 6 months time things can happen medically especially. We have nothing like surgery or major dental work planned, but I am just trying to make sure I understand the implications of added medical/dental issues prior to filing.

We do have insurance and always pay what we can.

Thanks again.