Medical Bills in Everett

Insurmountable medical bills cause the majority of bankruptcy cases in the United States. The number-two most common reason people file for bankruptcy is due to reduced income, which often is the direct result of medical bills incurred by missing work due to illness or injury. Even if you maintain health insurance, high copays and deductable can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in medical bill debt, which is an insurmountable debt for many people.

If you have medical bill debt that you simply cannot afford to pay, contact one of our Everett bankruptcy lawyers for an evaluation of your finances so that we can discuss your options. It's normal to feel like you owe a debt of gratitude to your doctor or health care provider after they helped you regain your health. However, it's important to acknowledge and nurture your financial health, so that you don't face a lifetime of unrelenting debt that makes it impossible to get ahead.

• Medical debt is an unsecured debt, and is always dischargeable in bankruptcy cases
• In Washington State, there is no such thing as a "medical bankruptcy," even though most people file for bankruptcy due to medical debt
• Many larger medical facilities will continue to treat you after medical debt has been discharged, but smaller ones may not
• If an injury incurred your medical debt and you can sue the party who caused it, you need to reveal this information

Some events in life are simply out of your control, and an accident or health issue certainly qualifies. Even someone with perfect credit and money in the bank can suddenly find themselves facing a mountain of medical bills with no hope of ever getting back in the black. If this sounds familiar, contact one of our Snohomish County bankruptcy attorneys today and find out how you can wipe out your medical bills and get a fresh start financially.

Filing for bankruptcy should never make feel embarrassed or as though you've failed. The federal government created bankruptcy laws so that individuals who fall behind on bills can once again become active participants in our economy. Bankruptcy is an opportunity to overcome the damage that medical bills can cause by hitting the financial reset button.

If your medical debt was incurred because of some accident where injury was involved, and you can sue the guilty party for damages, that money is considered an asset when filing for bankruptcy. You are required by law to fully and accurately disclose this information to your trustee. If you fail to do so, you could be charged with bankruptcy fraud, so be sure to go over the details with your bankruptcy attorney in Everett.

If you appreciate and respect your doctor and your debt to them is ultimately discharged, you can choose to pay them back voluntarily. Still, you need to be aware that the trustee can recover that money within 90 days if the amount you pay to the doctor is over $600. For this reason, you may want to wait.

Most large hospitals, doctors, and clinics will continue to treat you even after your debt to them has been discharged via bankruptcy. However, smaller medical and dental offices may not, so if this presents a problem because of your medical condition, you may want to speak with your doctor before filing for bankruptcy.

If you can't get out from under unpaid medical bills, our Everett bankruptcy attorneys can help. Contact our law office today and speak with a Snohomish County bankruptcy lawyer who is ready to help.