Medical Bills in Tacoma

Most bankruptcy cases in the US are the direct result of insurmountable medical bill debt. The second most common reason people declare bankruptcy is due to reduced income, which sometimes is a direct result of sickness or injury that causes someone to miss work. Even if you pay monthly on health insurance, high copays and deductibles can still result in tens of thousands of dollars in medical bill debt. Many people simply can't afford to pay these bills when they're already barely getting by.

If medical bills have made it impossible for you to keep up with your debt, contact one of our Tacoma bankruptcy lawyers to discuss financial relief options. You may feel as though you owe a debt of gratitude to your doctor or the hospital that cared for you, however, it's also important to acknowledge your financial health, and bankruptcy can offer you a means to recovery.

• Medical bills are an unsecured debt and are always dischargeable in bankruptcy
• In Washington State, no such thing as a "medical bankruptcy" exists, even though most bankruptcies are the result of high medical debt
• Larger hospitals may continue to treat you after a discharge of owed debt, but smaller ones may choose not to
• If your medical debt was incurred because of an injury, and you are able to sue the party who caused it, you need to reveal this information to your trustee

Some aspects of life are out of your control. Accidents and illnesses certainly qualify. Even the most responsible people in Washington may suddenly find themselves with a pile of medical bills because of an unexpected hospital stay. If you can't keep up with your finances because of medical bills, contact one of our Pierce County bankruptcy lawyers and find out how you can wipe them out for good.

Filing for bankruptcy because of medical bill debt shouldn't make you feel embarrassed or ashamed. The federal government created bankruptcy laws so that people who are burdened with heavy debt like medical bills can find relief and become active players in the economy once again. Bankruptcy is an opportunity to eliminate medical bills and hit the financial reset button.

If you have medical bills because you were in an accident, and you can sue the other party for damages, this is considered an asset when you file for bankruptcy. You must accurately disclose all of this information to your trustee, and any failure to do so could result in a bankruptcy fraud criminal charge. If you're in this situation, be sure to go over the details with your Tacoma medical bill debt relief lawyer.

If you like your doctor and your debt to them is discharged in your bankruptcy, you can still pay them voluntarily at a later date. Be aware that the trustee can recover that money within 90 days if the amount you paid the doctor is over $600, so you may decide to wait until that time is over.

Most larger hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities will continue to treat you even after your debt to them has been discharged. Some smaller doctor's and dentist's offices may choose not to. If your medical condition is such that your doctor is important to your health, you may want to talk to them before filing for bankruptcy.

If medical bills have turned your finances upside down, our Tacoma bankruptcy attorneys can help you right the ship. Contact our office in Tacoma today, and get additional information about relief from medical bill debt.