Ontario Medical Debt Lawyer
Healthcare is not cheap in the United States. Even if you have medical insurance, you may be forced to pay copays and out-of-pocket expenses. One night in the hospital could cost tens of thousands of dollars. The ambulance ride there may cost $500.
Overdue medical debt affects 20% of households in the United States. Americans have billions of dollars in medical debt in collections. Are you one of them? While medical debt is unsecured, it can still affect your credit.
The good news is that Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion have removed all paid medical debts from consumer credit reports and those less than a year old. They have also taken steps to remove all collections for medical debt under $500. This is huge, as roughly half of those with medical debt on their reports will have it removed from their credit history.
What can you do about larger medical debt? An Ontario medical debt lawyer from Wadhwani & Shanfeld can help you understand your options.
What to Do About Unpaid Medical Debt
When it comes to medical debt, many people think bankruptcy is the answer. However, with a little patience and sleuthing, you can handle your bill on your own.
When it comes to medical bills, it’s likely that you are being overcharged. An estimated 60% of medical bills have errors. What this means is that you should never assume the bill is correct. It is up to you to check for accuracy. Otherwise, medical facilities will keep charging what they want if nobody will question them.
Always ask to see an itemized bill to see if you have been charged correctly. You may have been double charged for something or charged for a service that you did not receive.
Also, do not assume you must pay the amount billed. If you have insurance, they will need to pay their amount first. If they did already pay, double-check the amount. Was something supposed to be covered? The explanation of benefits (EOB) outlines what costs your insurance will cover. Compare this against the bill, so never pay a medical bill until you get the EOB. Confused? Contact both the insurance company and the provider’s billing department. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
Once you are satisfied with the amount, ask for a payment plan. Hospitals are usually willing to work with patients so they can receive at least some money, so negotiate a payment plan if the lump sum is too large. If the employee you’re speaking with isn’t receptive to your needs, call back later. You may get a different employee who can help you.
Contact Wadhwani & Shanfeld Today
Many people try to get rid of their medical debt through bankruptcy, but what if you have assets like a car or home? How do you protect what you have without going into debt over medical bills?
The team at Wadhwani & Shanfeld can help you understand your legal options. Schedule a consultation with our Ontario medical debt lawyers by calling (800) 996-9932.
