Numerous New Jersey residents have a significant amount of medical bills that they are unable to pay. One source suggests that one out of every three people in the United States has trouble paying medical debt. Many of these patients are looking for ways to stop harassing phone calls from creditors regarding medical bills.
For a visit to a doctor or hospital that is preplanned, it may be possible to work out a payment plan ahead of time. Many healthcare providers offer payment plans or other programs, both to individuals who have insurance and those who do not. It may be difficult, however, to negotiate a payment that is reasonable for the patient.
If a New Jersey resident is involved in a serious accident or is diagnosed with a serious and/or chronic illness, that person’s out-of-pocket medical expenses may add up quickly. Even with insurance, families can end up owing tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills that they are simply unable to pay. Even if a payment plan is possible, no one can guarantee that it will still be affordable for the patient. At that point, traditional collection efforts could resume.
When it seems as if nothing will stop harassing phone calls from creditors regarding unpaid medical bills and other debt, bankruptcy may be the best option. Once a bankruptcy is filed, all collection activities on every debt of the filer must stop. This will give the filer the opportunity to step back, assess his or her financial situation and make some decisions about the best way to proceed. After a bankruptcy is closed, the filer typically has a fresh financial start with which to build a new financial life.
Source: kaiserhealthnews.com, “What To Do About Medical Debt“, Lexie Verdon, April 25, 2014
