How long can we put off bankruptcy? We are 2 1/2 years into not paying debts.

[ccaplinger]

My husband is diabetic and also has numerous other problems. They are continuing to find or suspect issues and test for them and having to deal with them which means continual medical bills (even after insurance covers it). I hope after a surgery later this month we will have most of them nipped in the bud. However, I can't say for sure.

We stopped paying our bills over two years ago except the necessities such as utilities and phone. We have moved three times and of course all the mail keeps getting forwarded. We now have an unlisted number so we aren't getting very many collections calls. Mostly we just get the medical collections calls (with the continual medical problems means the doctor's offices have the house phone number which means the collections agencies get it too).

Somehow one creditor got my cell phone number. I don't know how that happened since the card was only in my husband's name. I will answer them every once in a while to get them to stop for a time. Usually I just let it go to voice mail.

First of all, how long can we continue to put off filing? Because of the constant medical issues with my husband (and some with me and I don't have insurance), we have put off filing. That and loss of income (due to job losses) has kept us from paying the attorney everything we need (we still owe $100) and has caused us to put off filing for over two years.

Secondly, when do the medical bills get written off? Is it from the time you file or when you discharge? My husband will continue to have medical issues just from the diabetes for the rest of his life which means continual visits to the doctor. I'm just wondering when we will start HAVING to pay the bills that come (what insurance doesn't cover). When will the hospitals and clinics write off the bankruptcy?

[tcreegan]

Hi ccaplinger,

It is rough going, but it would be better to hold off filing until you know the medical is taken care of and you have some patient assistance in place. On the medical bills, everything before the day you file the BK is discharged. Everything after the day you file stays with you.

Medical bills get discharged in the BK, but how long the medical provider is going to hold that against you is anyones guess. In the meantime they usually put you on a cash basis. (except public hospitals who have to see you even if you can't pay)

We have lost job, insurance and filed BK. We found clinics that charge a sliding scale fee, a state 'insurance' program for folks w/o insurance, and that you if you pay cash you can negotiate a lower price (usually 40% lower), and that if you write to pharmaceutical companies they will help you with prescription drugs.

It is rough going, hang in there.....

Tom in Colo

[tobee43]

My husband is diabetic and also has numerous other problems. They are continuing to find or suspect issues and test for them and having to deal with them which means continual medical bills (even after insurance covers it). I hope after a surgery later this month we will have most of them nipped in the bud. However, I can't say for sure.

We stopped paying our bills over two years ago except the necessities such as utilities and phone. We have moved three times and of course all the mail keeps getting forwarded. We now have an unlisted number so we aren't getting very many collections calls. Mostly we just get the medical collections calls (with the continual medical problems means the doctor's offices have the house phone number which means the collections agencies get it too).

Somehow one creditor got my cell phone number. I don't know how that happened since the card was only in my husband's name. I will answer them every once in a while to get them to stop for a time. Usually I just let it go to voice mail.

First of all, how long can we continue to put off filing? Because of the constant medical issues with my husband (and some with me and I don't have insurance), we have put off filing. That and loss of income (due to job losses) has kept us from paying the attorney everything we need (we still owe $100) and has caused us to put off filing for over two years.

Secondly, when do the medical bills get written off? Is it from the time you file or when you discharge? My husband will continue to have medical issues just from the diabetes for the rest of his life which means continual visits to the doctor. I'm just wondering when we will start HAVING to pay the bills that come (what insurance doesn't cover). When will the hospitals and clinics write off the bankruptcy?

we waited almost 3 years and had over 200k worth of medical expenses.......

first...you can put a "block" on the number that keeps calling your cell phone...just call your provider and they will instruct you what to do. we can block up to 5 numbers.

now....getting back to your situation. you may be gathering judgments for non payment along your trek....if so after you discharge you just get them removed.

as soon as we filed the medical bill collection people could not contact us since a stay was put on them for collections. then once we got discharged they ceased completely.

if you feel you are going to rack up more medical bills and can't pay them you need to get HELP....with those bills...you can't continue to run. there are agencies that can really help you get them paid...honest...

i wish you the best...keep us posted!!