Did your doctor continue to treat you after bills discharged?

[anonymuse]

My old doctor refused to see me when I got behind on his bill--I even had a heck of a time getting my medical records from them.

I have about a $500 bill from my orthopedic surgeon for an office procedure which would be put into bankruptcy. I need the procedure (epidural steroid injection) again now at another level--hopefully get it done in the next month. I'm not sure how he'll handle this if the bill goes to bk (Right now I'm paying $35 a month on it.)

If you had medical bills discharged, did the doctor "discharge" you also? Or were you still able to see him/her?

[HRx]

Your doctor legally can't stop seeing you because of a bad debt that was included and discharged under BK. You could always continue to pay off the debt despite the fact that it has been discharged under BK. Many people have gone this route, and a $500 bill really isnt all that bad.

Good Luck!

[13inOR]

My attorney said that whether or not a dr can discharge you from their practice depends on whether or not they receive medicare money at all. I know that sounds odd but thats what she said. And I doubt theres very many out there that don't have medicare patients.

[anonymuse]

I actually understand the Medicare things--it's kind of like saying if you take the governments money for services, then you have to abide by the government's rules.

[Minnymouth]

Absolutely,
If the doctor is involved in ANY govt funded medical care they are bound by laws with the govenment to treat you.

$500 is not much, pay it in good faith a little at a time if you can. Each time you go to the doctor - add $10 or $25 to pay on the old bill.

If doctor still refuses to see you, report him to the medical board..... register a complaint against him....

Minny

[jane taylor]

I have been wondering about this, too. My kids really need to go to the dentist and we included about $120.00 past due in our BK. The dentist goes to our church and I'm embarrassed. We have dental insurance.

There are some doctors who are truly kind and compassionate. Our family doctor is accepting what our insurance pays and is not charging us for the rest. I talked to him about the situation and how we were taking care of it and he has been so wonderful to us.

Guess I can just swallow my pride one more time and talk to the kids' dentist.

[Minnymouth]

I'm sure your dentist will be as kind and compassionate as your doctor..... No dentist wants a child to let his teeth go..
The fact that you have dental insurance will also help.
Yes your embarrassed - we all have been - but we suck it up and get on with life.......
I'm sure you won't be the first bk person in a dentist office...... swallow that pride and GETTER DONE..........

Minny