Monthly Medical Expenses

[loonzilla]

I currently have monthly medical expenses of $600-$700 due to 90% prescriptions then the rest co-pays. I know this number will be higher than a trustee is used to seeing, so it might be examined closely. I'll have 6 months of receipts backing up the costs, but should I start digging for documentation for the previous 6 months to have a 12 month average? Just wondering when they look at costs for the J schedule if 6 months worth of data is sufficient. Too many times on this forum I've heard people state their true costs, but the laywers lower it on J schedule because "that's what the trustee is used to seeing". Maybe thats true for clothing or food, but I'm hoping not for neccessary medications. Appreciate your assistance!!!

[lrprn]

I currently have monthly medical expenses of $600-$700 due to 90% prescriptions then the rest co-pays. I know this number will be higher than a trustee is used to seeing, so it might be examined closely.

My husband is an insulin-dependent diabetic and I have several chronic health conditions that require medications and frequent doctor visits as well. When we were preparing to file Ch 13, we told our lawyer that looking back over the prior year, we averaged $500/month for medical expenses plus prescriptions. He said as long as we could prove it with receipts, even though that figure was much higher than average, we would be fine.

Our trustee questioned the amount during our 341 meeting, but when we noted our specific circumstances and that we could back up the costs with receipts, that was the end of it. Hope the same thing happens in your case, because if those are your costs and you can prove it with receipts, then that's what they are.

[poorme]

Trustees are human too, and some of them have the same kinds of high medicals and expensive lifestyles as well. Each bk is a separate case and can stand on it's own merits. As long as you have proof and can back up the numbers, they can't say much. They may not 'like' what they see, but facts are facts, and it is not their place to judge or tell you how much you can't spend on your family.