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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    2

    Angry Can You Be Billed for Medical Care You Received as a Minor

    My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Wyoming

    Today I received a collection from the collection agency over an accident that happened while a minor in parents care. My dog had attacked me so I had to go to the hospital to get it checked and fixed. At the time I was 17 years old and was under my fathers care. He in deed took me into the ER and signed consent. However; 2 years later, I have received this notice to collect payment for this incident. My father and I don't have a relationship at all, honestly he's a dead beat dad so he's trying to get out of paying this. I have previously set up a payment for the things that I went to the hospital for after I was 18 and the woman agreed this wasn't mine that they'd take it off my account and bill my father. I finished paying everything else a few months ago with an over pay on my account in which they sent me a check. I don't understand how the collection agency as well as the hospital can send me this with no previous notices or warnings. Especially after only a few short months ago everything on my account had been paid! I'm sure this is not my responsibly but my fathers and need to know what my rights are on this matter. Thank you.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Medical Bills to a Minor

    so, what did the collection agency say when you told them the debt was incurred when you were a minor and they need to be calling your father, who is liable for the debt. I would then provide your fathers address and phone number if you have it.

    You have the right to refuse to pay it, or pay it if you want to. As to what other rights you might be contemplating, you would have to explain what's on your mind.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Posts
    403

    Default Re: Medical Bills to a Minor

    This happens. It's not a big deal. This same situation happened to me. I was 17. Three years later, this bill was on my credit report and it was supposed to bemy dad's responsibility. I second what jk said. Just give the collections agency your father's information. You don't even have to talk to your dad to do that.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Medical Bills to a Minor

    Quote Quoting kenztay
    View Post
    Today I received a collection from the collection agency over an accident that happened while a minor in parents care. My dog had attacked me so I had to go to the hospital to get it checked and fixed. At the time I was 17 years old and was under my fathers care.
    Minors are capable of entering into contracts. Although a minor is normally permitted to disaffirm a contract, meaning that the minor can normally ask that a contract be undone and the parties restored to their original position, that does not apply to contracts for necessities (such as needed emergency medical care) nor to a context in which you can't undo the contract - you can't "unreceive" the treatment. You are being asked to pay for care you wanted and received, and that's not improper. See e.g., Kiefer v. Fred Howe Motors, 39 Wis.2d 20, 158 N.W.2d 288 (1968), emphasis added, ("The general rule is that '... the contract of a minor, other than for necessaries, is either void or voidable at his option.'").

    As a custodial parent your father would normally be legally, and probably also contractually, obligated to pay the necessary medical care of his minor child, but that doesn't mean that you can't be billed if he chooses not to pay.
    Quote Quoting kenztay
    I have previously set up a payment for the things that I went to the hospital for after I was 18 and the woman agreed this wasn't mine that they'd take it off my account and bill my father. I finished paying everything else a few months ago with an over pay on my account in which they sent me a check.
    So they let you pay off a prior medical bill, and that suggests that they may do the same with this bill, should you ask.
    Quote Quoting kenztay
    I don't understand how the collection agency as well as the hospital can send me this with no previous notices or warnings.
    You just told us that you had been previously billed for the medical debt before "the woman agreed this wasn't mine that they'd take it off my account". Apparently your father chose not to pay, so it's back on your account.
    Quote Quoting kenztay
    I'm sure this is not my responsibly but my fathers and need to know what my rights are on this matter.
    You are choosing not to ask your father to pay the bill, or if he'll reimburse you if you pay the bill. If you don't want to pay the bill yourself, at some point you are going to have to take action to try to convince or compel your father to pay. If the collection agency is willing to refocus its efforts on your father, if provided with his contact information, as others have suggested you can provide that information.

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