You are not the only one who is facing a medical bill that you can’t afford to pay. Medical bills are a common cause of stress and anxiety. They can make you wonder how you will find the money to pay for them.
Unlike other kinds of debt, such as credit cards or car loans, medical bills are often inevitable. You or your child may need emergency medical care that you can’t say no to or postpone. That care can come with a big price tag that you didn’t budget for.
Every year, millions of Americans are shocked by the size of their medical bills. They are often much higher than they expected. Some people can manage to pay their medical bills, but many others can’t.
When you run out of money and options to pay your medical bills, such as payment plans, personal loans, medical credit cards, or help from family and friends, that is when the pressure and panic really start to mount. You may be bothered by debt collectors, lose sleep, feel anxious, and fear for your future.
What will happen if I don’t pay my medical bills? Will I get arrested for not paying them? Will I face jail time? I’m here to answer your questions and calm your fears.
Medical Debt Consequences
If you fail to pay your medical bills, sooner or later, the hospital or your medical provider will pass on your debt to a collection agency. They usually sell this debt for a fraction of its value. There is a possibility that you can bargain with the debt collector and settle your debt for less than you owe. It doesn’t always succeed, but it is worth a shot.
This is when those debt collectors start phoning. They can be irritating and make your worry worsen.
As soon as your medical bills go to collections, it instantly appears on your credit report. This can damage your credit score, and the longer it goes unpaid, the more it will make your score plummet.
Legal Actions for Medical Bills
If collection agencies can’t get the money from you, they will resort to legal measures. This is the last stage of debt collection. Your medical provider or the debt collector can sue you for your unpaid debt.
If your case goes to court, a judge could order wage deduction. Money could be taken out of your paycheck each week before you even receive it.
Prison/Jail
Fortunately, you cannot go to prison for unpaid medical bills. By law, you cannot go to prison for not paying civil debts. Of course, this same protection doesn’t apply to not paying taxes.
If you don’t have the income to be deducted, like mentioned earlier, the debt collection agency can ask the court to summon you for the debtor’s examination. If you do not show up, the judge can issue a warrant for your arrest.
Don’t be confused. You will not go to prison for unpaid medical debt. But you will go to prison for disobeying a court order.
Explore Other Options
If you can’t pay your medical bills, things can look bleak. Make sure you investigate and review your medical bill. Talk to your insurance company. Consult with your medical provider.
Do everything you can to bargain the debt and pay it off. Look into payment plans, medical credit cards, and ask family and friends for help.
You can also hire a professional to assist you. A skilled consumer rights attorney can help. The bottom line is that you will have to pay the medical bills sooner or later. Do everything in your power to pay it sooner rather than later. It will save a lot of stress and worry for you if you do.
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