Over the last ten years, healthcare reforms have targeted lowering the out of pocket costs of healthcare. Research shows that medical debts and expensive medical bills are one of the leading causes of bankruptcy filings in the United States. In fact, over 60 percent of personal filings come as a result of unmanageable medical bills. To make matters worse, these medical bills are often unexpected and come at a time when job loss is an all time high.
An unexpected medical emergency could have a negative impact on your finances. One option to get yourself back on track is to file bankruptcy, but there are things you need to understand before you file. Northland Bankruptcy Law has the experience necessary to help you navigate the bankruptcy system and obtain a fair and just financial recovery.
Say Bye To Medical Bills
Fortunately, medical debt is one bill that can be easily addressed and balances erased through bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy to remove debt caused by medical bills is a viable option for patients and their loved ones in a number of different situations.
Yes, you can wipe out (discharge) medical debt in bankruptcy. In fact, having unpaid medical bills is a common reason people seek bankruptcy relief. But you’ll want to consider several factors before deciding whether bankruptcy is right for you.
- Has your illness resolved, or could you face another financial crisis?
- Can the medical provider collect from you?
- Have you applied for payment assistance?
- Do you have other debt you can wipe out in bankruptcy?
- Is your income low enough to wipe out medical bills quickly in Chapter 7?
- Are you a higher income earner who would like to wipe out medical debt while catching up on mortgage, car, tax, or domestic support obligation arrearages in Chapter 13?
Keep reading to learn how the answers to these questions will help determine if filing for bankruptcy is the right choice for you.
Should You Use Bankruptcy to Eliminate Medical Bills?
Accumulating thousands of dollars in medical debt is overwhelming, and the idea of wiping it out in bankruptcy can be compelling. However, it might not be the right time, or another solution might exist. Here are a few things to consider:
- Will another financial crisis arise? Debtors are only entitled to receive so many discharges within a certain period. For instance, after receiving a Chapter 7 discharge, you must wait eight years before receiving another. If you incur more medical bills after your first bankruptcy, or if some other expensive calamity occurs, you’ll be at the mercy of debt collectors until you pay off the obligation or qualify for another discharge.
- Are you judgment proof? Some people don’t have income or property that a collector could reach, and there’s no need to file for bankruptcy—they’re “judgment proof.” Seniors with protected income, such as Social Security benefits and minimal assets (ensure all property can be protected from creditors using exemptions) are often permanently judgment proof.
- Can you apply for medical payment assistance? Many hospitals understand that it can be hard to pay outstanding balances and offer assistance programs for low-income people. You might even be able to have it waived entirely. If this solution works, you’ll be able to keep your bankruptcy discharge in your back pocket just in case you suffer another financial downturn.
If your medical condition has resolved and one of the two alternate solutions won’t work, it’s time to consider filing for bankruptcy.
Do You Have Debts Other Than Medical Bills to Eliminate in Bankruptcy?
If all you have to wipe out is medical debt, that’s perfectly fine. But knowing you can get rid of other bills could help tip the balance in favor of bankruptcy. Here are examples of dischargeable debts:
- credit card debt
- medical bills
- utility balances
- back rent or lease payments
- gym and other memberships
- personal and payday loans, and
- mortgages, auto loans, and other secured debt (but you’ll have to return the property securing the debt to the lender).
Not all obligations can be erased in bankruptcy, however. For instance, you’ll remain responsible for nondischargeable debt, like domestic support obligations, recent income tax debt, and student loans (unless you qualify for an exception).
You can eliminate all of the same debts in Chapter 13 as in Chapter 7, but Chapter 13 lets you discharge a few more obligations. And it offers benefits not available in Chapter 7 (keep reading to learn about the differences between Chapters 7 and 13).
Which Bankruptcy Chapter to Use When Eliminating Medical Bills
The type of bankruptcy you’ll file will depend on your situation and whether you meet qualification requirements.
How Medical Bills Are Treated Under Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
A Chapter 7 discharge will wipe out an unlimited amount of medical bills along with other dischargeable debt. However, to qualify for Chapter 7, your disposable income must be low enough to pass the Chapter 7 means test.
How Medical Bills Are Treated Under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
You must qualify for Chapter 13 as well—and it can be expensive. You must make enough to pay the required amounts through your three- to five-year Chapter 13 repayment plan. Also, your medical bills and other debts can’t exceed the allowed Chapter 13 debt limits.
You’ll start by separating your debts into different categories—priority and nonpriority unsecured debt. Debts such as domestic support obligations and recent overdue taxes receive special priority treatment and must be repaid in full. You’ll also need to pay any mortgage, auto loan, or other secured debt arrearages if you want to keep the property.
Most other debts, including medical bills and credit card balances, don’t receive priority treatment. They’re all lumped into one “general unsecured” debt category. Each creditor gets a pro-rata portion of the amount remaining after higher priority debts get paid.
Some people won’t have any money remaining and will have what’s known as a “zero percent” plan, which is fine in many courts. Others will have enough to pay creditors in full. Most debtors fall somewhere in between. The amount you’ll have available to pay will depend on your income, expenses, and nonexempt assets. The court will discharge the balance of qualifying debts when you complete the plan.
Call Northland Bankruptcy Law for Help With Your Bankruptcy!
Are you currently struggling with debt? Are you searching for a way to put a stop to creditor harassment? Has a recent financial hardship placed you in a position where you may be facing foreclosure, wage garnishment, or car repossession? No matter your financial situation, Northland Bankruptcy Law can help guide you to a more stable financial future. For a more comprehensive list of all the questions you might have about bankruptcy, and for a free consultation, please call (816)-702-1772. If you have further questions about your case, do not hesitate to reach out to us by the phone number, through the contact form, or by emailing [email protected].