Medical Debt Collection for Medical Care Received by Minors
If a person receives medical treatment as a minor, and that person's parents do not pay the doctor, under California law can the doctor attempt to collect the money from the minor after the minor reaches adulthood? Can the debt be reported on the minor's credit report?
Re: Medical Debt Collection for Medical Care Received by Minors
For an unemancipated minor, with care obtained by the parents and without a contract directly with the minor, I would argue that the minor was below the age of being able to enter into a contract and that the bill should be paid by the parents who contracted for the care. If the minor was legally emancipated, medically emancipated, or the minor obtained medically necessary care without the involvement of his or her parents, then the minor can expect to be held liable for the care.
If the debt is collectable against the minor, a delinquency it may be reported on their credit report for up to seven years. Any collection lawsuit would have to be brought within four years.