Dental expenses over $600 prior to filing but within 90 days ??

[button08]

In efforts to possibly avoid bugging the attorney again...is it okay to spend down cash on dental expenses such a fillings, crowns etc even if the amount is over $600 and within 90 days of filing? We are paying cash so is this still considered a preference payment?
We will include other unpaid medical expenses from several years ago to be included in our bk filing. Is there going to be a problem if we spend the cash on the new medical expenses?

We are in SW FL..in case this makes a difference in this district...

[IamOld]

Short answer YES!!! Medical expenses are perfectly ok!!! That is also not a credit payment but payment for necessary (and exempt) services.

(And even if you make a preferential payment, it's between the Trustee and the creditor, not you - I'll be in that situation, and I have been assured by the best here on the board (Des) that is not "my problem." - it isn't an insider, but a credit-line creditor.)

[button08]

So...it's okay even if we have other medical expenses that we will be including in the bankruptcy???..note these other medical expenses I am referring to were NOT put on a credit card.. they are out of pocket costs not covered by our insurance company, I just wasn't sure if the cash paid to our dentist would be considered preferential over other medical expenses that we want to include in the BK...didn't want to cause any issues since we are filing next month...we have waited 6 months and don't want to wait any longer otherwise I would just wait 90 days...

[IamOld]

Button, no because you're paying for services that you need to have done.

And as I said, even if it WERE preferential - which it isn't - it's between the Trustee and the creditor. I'll have TWO actually - and I can't wait to file any more - one a credit-line payment that was ACH'ed out of my bank, and another to a credit union. So no worries either way, but what you are doing is NOT a preferential payment. You go to the dentist, you pay for your crown.

[button08]

Okay thanks for your responses. They are helpful. Good luck with your filing.

[IamOld]

Best wishes to you as well!!!!!

[AngelinaCat]

To underscore what IAmOld has said, you are expected to take care of your health, and one part of that is care and maintenance of your teeth. If you have problems with your teeth or gums, you won't be able to eat properly. Also an abscessed tooth can cause heart problems. So what you are doing is necessary and perfectly fine. Try not to worry--easier said, I know.

[angles]

I spent like 2K on dental work just prior to filing and it was not a problem. I traded my health to pay the bank for some time so when I finally was looked at the work was more than a simple cleaning or cavity that needed to be filled.

[lotsahats]

Also an abscessed tooth can cause heart problems.

And, long before that happens, the pain is unbearable. (I should know.)

[btbeme]

Try flying with an abscessed tooth.

In my past life, I was on airplanes 5-6 flights a week. Almost every week, there was at least one person - usually kids or young adults - who developed excruciating pain in their mouth durning descent for landing. This was often times the first sign that they had of an abscess. Most times, they said they thought they had a cavity, nothing more. The flight attendants were like amateur dentists.

Anyway...I never would have expected a Ch 7 forum to discuss abscessed teeth...

[AngelinaCat]

Anyway...I never would have expected a Ch 7 forum to discuss abscessed teeth...

Just goes to show how financial distress touches all phases of life....

[IamOld]

AngelinaCat is 100% right - so far it cost me my mental health (to an extent), almost destroyed my marriage, and caused a huge stupid fight with my daughter last weekend.