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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    3

    Default Responsibility for Parent's Emergency Room Visit

    My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Massachusetts

    I had visitors medical insurance for my mother and I took her to the ER room at a hospital. A large part of the bill remains unpaid by the insurance. I, her son, is listed as a contact on that insurance. I also signed on her medication forms in the hospital and I am listed as next of kin and a contact person in the hospital. They are telling me that it is my responsibility to pay thoes medical bills else my credit history will be hampered. They are also telling me that I am the Guarantor of the bills. They said that the collection agency can pursue me. (Unpaid portion around 1500 USD)

    Are there observations correct ? I have not signed as a guarantor, am I laible to pay thoes bills - Will that effect my credit history?

    Please point me to any pointers. Any inputs are great,

    Thanks,
    debg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Responsibile for Parents Emeregency Room Visit

    Are you certain that among the forms you signed when you took her to the ER, you did not (at least accidently) sign as guarantor? Have you asked them for a copy?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Responsibile for Parents Emeregency Room Visit

    Thanks Cbg. I checked with the hospital.
    Now they said that I am not the guarantor. And the bill has only her name. Now lets say that they do in fact send the bill to the collections agency, does that effect my credit history in any way or can the collections agency make me liable to pay that? Note : My mother doesnt have a social security and not lives in US. If I assume that I am liable can they report me to credit bureau? They do not have my social security or phone number.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Responsibile for Parents Emeregency Room Visit

    If you are not a guarantor and the bill is not in your name, then no, they cannot make you liable for the debt or affect your credit history.

    That being said, I think it's a damn shame that so many people wiggle out of paying their emergency room and other medical bills, thus driving up the costs for everyone else and contributing significantly to the health care crisis in this country.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Responsibile for Parents Emeregency Room Visit

    If they agree that you have no personal liability, it would be improper for them to send the bill to a collection agency naming you as a debtor, and you should dispute any such reported debt with any collection agency that contacts you and verify that it does not appear on your credit reports.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Responsibile for Parents Emeregency Room Visit

    Thanks cbg & Knowitall.

    Its always not that we dont do our part in paying ER bills. For instance in this case the insurance is paying only a part of it while I believe they had the full responsibility of paying it. The appeal process and lack of the hospital commitment to give the company medical right records further complicate the problem.

    That being said - I do think US Visitors ER bills is an issue. If a visitor doesnt pays his or her bill what recourse the hospital has against the person? They dont have a SSN and dont bother about credit history. I am assuming this problem is pretty old and wondering why the hospitals havent developed a way to deal with this. Does anybody knows how they deal with it?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Responsibile for Parents Emeregency Room Visit

    What makes you think the insurance carrier is liable for the full bill? I'm not asking to imply you're wrong; I'm asking because if you explain why you think so, I might be able to offer a suggestion as to your next step.

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