Medical Debt and its Effect On Us
Medical debt has the same financial effect as other kinds of debt. However, the emotional toll medical debt can take can far exceed that of any other financial situation. With the numerous amounts of medical emergencies (both expected and unexpected) that exist, it can be hard to focus on repaying an existing medical debt. Unfortunately, health insurance provider and debt collectors may not share your partial nature about the reason for having a medical debt. Here’s what you can do about your medical debt to try and alleviate the aftereffects.
Tackling Medical Debts
Medical debts are much like any other debts that one can hold. There are, however, differences to keep in mind when looking to handle medical debts. One of the main differences is the involvement of healthcare coverage. With healthcare, an individual might be able to pay off a decent portion of what you owe. Even without healthcare, there are some ways people can receive assistance in making payments on medical debts.
Medical debts can be settled just like other unsecured types of debts. If you find that you cannot make the entire payment on a medical debt at one time, you might be able to negotiate a payment plan with your doctor. Some private doctors may be willing to set up a plan of payment with you based on their personal interaction with you. You might not be able to negotiate your bill with hospitals, but you might be able to do so with your healthcare provider. Even if you don’t lower the principle amount, you might still be able to reduce or eliminate any fees that may be attached.
Before you decide to make any payments on a medical debt, make sure all of the information on your medical bill is accurate and necessary. If there are any unwarranted charges on your medical bill then contact the appropriate billing office to get the proper corrections. Whether by accident or through malicious intervention, extra charges can find their way onto your bill. Always ask for clarification if you don’t understand any part of your medical bill as this can help eliminate wrongful charges from the beginning.
Medical Debt Collectors
Just because the debt is due to a medical origin does not mean that the collection process will be any less fierce. In fact, there are other, more aggressive means that debt collectors have used to collect from individuals that owe medical bills. In some instances, debt collectors will try to make you believe that you won’t be able to get further medical assistance if you don’t pay off your existing bills. Do not be fooled by these aggressive tactics.
Medical debt collectors must abide by the rules and regulations that are set forth by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Under this act, debt collectors cannot unfairly harass debtors or give misinformation to coerce payment. It is always beneficial to make yourself aware of your rights under the FDCPA so you won’t fall victim to unfair treatment by debt collection agencies.
To avoid the actions of debt collectors, you can make an arrangement to pay off the balance you owe. There are many ways to handle a medical bill. One popular and quick method is through the use of debt settlement services. Through debt settlement, medical debt can be reduced before being paid off, thus allowing you the ability to save money. Generally, the faster you handle your medical debt, the less you will have to deal with in terms of late fees and collection practices.
Why Medical Debt is Different
When faced with a medical emergency, a large amount of funds might be necessary in a small amount of time. In the interest of health, this type of expense may be deemed more of a priority than other purchases made with credit. The need for medical attention can fluctuate at a moment’s notice, thus impacting the amount of money needed to cover the costs. Due to this fickle nature, it can be hard to accurately anticipate what any medical bill might end up being.
Medical debt can be left to be handled separately or it can be handled through a credit card or debt relief service. If medical debt were to be handled through a credit card, the debt would then be transferred to the credit card instead of remaining medical debt. The same debt related rules apply to credit card debt. Transferring debt from one source to another doesn’t mean you’re not responsible for it anymore.
Try to be as involved as possible in the information that can be found on your medical bill. Showing that you have an active interest in the charges you have to pay for might push the doctor (or hospital) to be more interested in settling your debt with you. This way you’ll have less of a chance to be taken advantage of and more of an opportunity to settle your medical debt for less than what you owe.
On the surface, medical debt is just like any other debt. You have to pay off medical debt in order to avoid debt collectors. However, medical debt can involve more than just bills and collectors. It can be the most stressful debt you can carry. If you find that your medical debt has become overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out to Guardian Debt Relief for help. Medical debt is created by medical need, and sometimes it can hinder your ability to pay off your debts. Guardian Debt Relief can help you find relief in the midst of your debt related issues. Give us a call and let us show you how you can achieve debt freedom. Take the first step and contact Guardian Debt Relief today!