This article is the second of a multiple part Louisiana debt collection lawyer series on things to consider when handing a medical debt. If you missed the first part of the series, you may access it here. In the world of debts, not all debts are equal. If a consumer is overburdened with debt and not able to pay all debts immediately, they should seek a strategic plan to manage the debts. Medical debts have a specific set of characteristics that should be considered when developing a debt paying plan. Below are items about medical debts from a Louisiana debt collection lawyer that should be considered.
Generally, a medical provider will not report a debt to a credit reporting agency. The medical debt usually will not be listed by the credit bureau until it has been sent to a collection agency and that takes some time. Furthermore, the collection agency managing the debt may or may not even report the medical debt to the credit bureau depending on their business practices.
Additionally, the credit bureaus will not report a medical debt until it is 180 days delinquent. So, a medical debt will not lower your credit score unless it is reported to credit bureau after being 180 days behind on payment. A Louisiana debt collection lawyer can provide guidance on protecting your consumer rights if the medical debt or any debt is being reported on your credit report.
If you have a debt to a hospital, they may stop providing you will basic health care and you should contact a Louisiana debt collection lawyer. However, they cannot deny you emergency medical treatment and should not prevent you from getting medical care from a separate hospital.
According to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), a hospital may not refuse admission to the emergency room for urgent medical matters regardless of existing debts or lack of insurance. If the hospital is nonprofit, you also cannot be denied until it your eligibility for financial assistance is determined. If you are eligible and a Medicaid recipient, denying you future services is prohibited.
If you are overburdened with medical debts or any debts, it is best to contact a Louisiana debt collection lawyer such as at Paramount Law.
