The costs of medical care have always been high. A medical emergency can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars! It is no surprise that medical debt is one of the most common reasons that people file for bankruptcy.
In fact, a 2013 study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), discovered that the median emergency room visit costs 40% more than what the average American pays in a month’s rent. The study found that the average cost of an emergency room visit in the United States is over $2,000. Moreover, in instances where critical care or surgery is necessary, it is not uncommon for the bill to total over $20,000.
Unfortunately, illnesses and injuries can create unaffordable debt for families with and without health insurance plans.
Medical Bills In Bankruptcy
Medical debt is unsecured debt. Unsecured debt is not backed by collateral (such as a home or car). Medical debt is treated just like your credit cards in bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy can eliminate medical debt. If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, all of your medical debt will be erased. If you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you may pay back none, all, or a portion of your medical debt. But as long as your case is successful, regardless of which chapter of bankruptcy you file, you will no longer owe on medical debt incurred prior to filing your case.
What If I Want To Pay Back Some Of My Medical Debts?
When you file for bankruptcy, you cannot pick and choose which debts to include. In your bankruptcy petition, you have a duty to list all creditors, including doctors to whom you owe money.
We understand that you may want to pay back your doctors for outstanding co-pays or other bills. This may be especially true if you plan to continue with the doctor/patient relationship.
After filing for bankruptcy and receiving a bankruptcy discharge, you will not have any legal obligation to pay back the medical debt. However, if you feel a sense of duty to pay back certain doctors or medical debts, nothing in bankruptcy law precludes you from doing so.
Do you owe medical bills that you simply cannot afford?
We can help you get rid of medical bills with bankruptcy. If you live in Savannah, GA or the surrounding areas, let’s meet for a free consultation. Please reach out to us at (912) 351-9000 or contact us by filling out this simple web form.
Follow us on Facebook to learn about how to stop collection action and get out of debt!
For over 35-years we have proudly served the people in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Hinesville, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Tybee Island, Clyo, Ellabel, Midway, Springfield, Pembroke, Brooklet, Garden City, and Ludowici, Georgia.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
