During a medical emergency, treatment generally becomes the main priority and its expense an afterthought. Unfortunately, medical expenses are often more costly than one would expect, and patients end up digging into their pockets to settle their accumulated hospital bills. Those who are less than diligent with their savings can easily become victims of a serious medical debt. Furthermore, failure to pay such debts can add insult to injury for a patient by resulting in harsh financial penalties. 

Here is a list of the consequences you could face if you don’t pay your hospital bills.

Late Fees and Penalties

It is wise to read any and all paperwork before receiving medical assistance to better understand the terms and conditions that will apply to you if and when you fail to pay your bills. Just like with credit card debt, late or missed hospital bill payments will have you paying extra charges in the form of interest or late fees.

Ruined Credit Score

Regardless of your pressing financial situation, neglecting to pay your hospital bills can ruin your credit worthiness — causing you to be denied credit and declined large purchases. Additionally, unpaid medical bills will cause your credit score to plummet and will likely get you reported to a debt collection agency. Notorious for harassing borrowers with distressing calls and emails at all hours of the day, debt collectors are difficult to deal with and will not stop hounding you to pay up. 

Legal Action 

If you fail to pay your debt, your medical provider may take legal action against you. You may receive a letter that demands you attend a court hearing where your creditor will present details about the debt and you will be given an opportunity to speak. If the debt is valid, a judge will issue a judgement against you, in which you can end up paying both the debt andthe collection costs.

Garnishments and Liens

If the case proceeds to court, you may be forced to pay the debt in a less conventional way. In some instances, the court may resort to deducting a portion of your wage to go to debt repayment. Sometimes a judgment can create a lien against your home or any real estate that is in your name. In extreme cases of medical debt, ignoring your hospital bills can also result in you declaring bankruptcy.

How to Deal With Medical Debts

If you neglected to pay your hospital bills and are now facing mounting debt and penalties, there is still hope. Here are some strategies to help you navigate medical debt.

· Negotiate Your Medical Bill – Contact your medical provider and be honest about your financial situation. They may offer you affordable repayment options that can fit your budget and reduce your frustrations.

· Ensure Your Medical Bill Is Accurate – Examine your bill carefully to understand all charges and ensure you received every service you are being billed for. You can request a removal of charges if there are any discrepancies.

· Set up a Payment Plan – Working out a payment plan with the billing department can help you repay your debt without straining your finances. However, the plan may include interest.

· Stop Panicking and Seek Help – You do not have to go through debt repayment alone. There are institutions that can help you go through the repayment process with minimal stress and offer you professional assistance in managing your debt while course correcting your financial future. 

At Progressive Debt Relief, we are always willing and ready to serve you. We may not give you loans or any financial assistance, but we can help you settle your debt by negotiating with your creditors on lowering your repayment amounts and interest rates. We can also help extend your debt repayment deadline to one that works for your budgetary schedule.

Book a free consultation today with our professionals, or call us at 1-877-590-1847 for more information on how we can help you face the challenge of repaying medical debt.