Question about medical debt

[HopelessInWA]

My spouse and I are going to file Chapter 7 in the upcoming months. We will include all credit cards and unsecured loans, but we are wondering how to handle medical. We don't have outrageous medical bills -- maybe $1,000 worth -- and we've been paying on them every month. One group that is billing us is our children's pediatrician. However, there are literally hundred of doctors in the group, and so not every part of the bill pertains to the pediatrician. There are bills for a specialist on there when one child broke and arm, and other such charges (doctors we don't normally see). We like our pediatrician and want to maintain a good relationship with him. I don't think he'd ever even know if we discharged our medical through BK since I know it's not his office even doing the billing, but we are just concerned we could sour the relationship or he may even stop treating our children if it is known that our bills were discharged.

At the same time, it's frustrating because most of what's owed isn't even to that doctor, AND we were granted a 25% assistance but the danged place won't write off the 25%. Every month it's on the bill, and every month I call and fight with them and they try to tell me that the 25% doesn't apply to this charge or that charge but I have a letter from them stating in black and what exactly what was to be written off, and every month it's still on the bill. I just want to include it in the BK and start over, but I'm not sure what is best in this situation.

[JRScott]

You have to list the medical debt. You have to list all debt legally.

They can deny you non emergency care after that legally. Whether they will or not I don't know. You would probably need to contact the entity and explain the situation and ask if you would be allowed to continue using him if you file bankruptcy.

[aces67]

You'll have to contact them and see what they say. I included my orthopaedic surgeon in my BK and he still sees me I just have to pay at the time of the visit.

Some doctors won't treat you after you file BK on them so you'll have to ask and see what they say.

[HopelessInWA]

Shoot. So who should I talk to? The doctor directly, or his billing office?

[aces67]

His billing office. They'll be able to tell you what their rules are.

[lovebirds]

Call the medical billing office and ask for their policies. Your debts will be discharged but you can still pay them if you choose to. If you continue to pay, you probably can continue to see them.

Who granted you 25% assistance? If they are being that difficult to work with, you may want to move on to another doctor.

[LuciluS]

I worked about 4 hours on Medical bills yesterday. Hubby was hospitalized for a week in April. I've got so many bills from Radiologist, Lab work, a doc who read his ultrasound, a doctor who read the lab work, the Specialist in the hospital and the biggie - the hospital bill of $1,695.12. I match the bill with the Insurance EOB & make a copy of the check & tape it to the EOB.

This was the first time for hubby to use this hospital. It is the closest to our home town and the best. However, there is no way we can pay this hospital bill.

I've got an breast biopsy from an Outpatient Surgery which is $250. This is the same place where I get my mammograms which I have done every six months. I'm scheduled to have one in mid August and see my Onocologist an hour later. I'm not sure we have enough money to pay this $250 bill. I'm on medicare and there is no Maximum Out of Pocket expenses. My mammo is paid for by Medicare, but I'm sure they will not let me have it until I pay the $250. Medicare Insurance Sucks! Thank goodness I went with a limited plan from AR Blue Cross/Blue Shield for disabled people. When I turn 65 (10 more years) I get to pick any policy they offer if Medicare is still around then

This is worrying me more than our dang BK as breast cancer is very predominate on my mother's side of the family. I've had 3 benign tumors taken out. My twin sis has had 8 tumors out & still has 22, but they haven't grown enough to warrant a biopsy in 5 years. My mom had breast cancer at the age of 40 and my aunt at 70 yrs. old.

Luci

[HopelessInWA]

lovebirds ~ Now I'm confused because I asked in another thread if I should tell them I am filing BK (http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=42794) and was advised NOT to, so how can/should I ask their office their policies without telling them I am going to file?

As for who granted the 25% assistance, it's kind of weird. It was the hospital that gave the assistance. The group that owns the hospital bought the medical group my children go to in the past year. Because they are now owned by the same group, the 25% applies to both the hospital and the medical group. However, the systems aren't totally in sync, and I assume it's the same people from the old medical group now working under the new hospital system, hence all of the problems.

I want to just drive there and deal with it, but I have 3 kids under the age of 5 and it would be complete mayhem to try to keep them under control while working it all out. Though the insanity of my children tearing up their office may make them write it off all that much faster to get me out of there! Heh.

[lovebirds]

Can't you just ask their policies without giving your name? Or give a fake name...is it a super small hospital that'll know your face?

[HopelessInWA]

It is a small hospital, but I could call and not give my name. With my luck, they will ask for my name or account number and I will freeze and hang up!