Can anyone help me to understand the law regarding medical debt in Georgia?
917153
Ask and you shall recieve: \n\n\nFIRST: Figure out what type of contract: you are bound by:\n\n\nThe statute of limitations has been designed to stop legal action against debts that are too old according to the US Federal Government. The statutes are different for different types of contracts and where you live. \n\n\nOral Contract: You agree to pay money loaned to you by someone or some company. This contract or agreement is verbal (i.e., no written contract, "handshake agreement" or “verbal agreement”). Verbal contracts are legal but tougher to prove in court.\n\nWritten Contract: You agree to pay on a loan under the terms written in a document, which you and your creditor have signed.\n\nPromissory Note: You agree to pay on a loan via a written contract, just like the written contract. The difference between a promissory note and a regular written contract is that the scheduled payments and interest on the loan also is spelled out in the promissory note. A mortgage is an example of a promissory note.\n\nOpen-ended Accounts: Open-ended accounts are usually credit cards, department store, and gas cards. They are revolving lines of credit, which means that you use credit and pay a monthly payment that usually ranges from 2% to 5% of the balance. \n\n\nThen figure out what applies to you: \n\n\nGeorgia Statutes of Limitation: \n\n \nBreach of any contract for sale: 4 years, (OCGA 11-2- 725) NOTE: Parties may reduce limitation to not less than one year, but not extend it. A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggrieved party's lack of knowledge of the breach.\n\nContract, including breach of warranty or indemnity: 4 years, (OCGA 11- 22A-506) NOTE: The parties may reduce the period to one year.\n\nWritten contract: 6 years from when it becomes due and payable and the six (6) year period runs from the date of last payment. (OCGA 9-3-24)\n\nOpen account; implied promise or undertaking: 4 years, (OCGA 9-3-25). NOTE: Payment, unaccompanied by a writing acknowledging the debt, does not stopped the statute. Therefore, the statutory period runs from the date of default, not the date of last payment.\n\nBonds or other instruments under seal, 20 years, (OCGA 9-3-23) NOTE: No instrument is considered under seal unless it’s stated in the body of the instrument.\n\n\nHere is a chart showing all of the statutes broken down by type of debt and state: http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/statute_of_limitations.htm\n\nFair Debt Collection\nIf you use credit cards, owe money on a personal loan, or are paying on a home mortgage, you are a "debtor." If you fall behind in repaying your creditors, or an error is made on your accounts, you may be contacted by a "debt collector." The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that debt collectors treat you fairly and prohibits certain methods of debt collection. Of course, the law does not erase any legitimate debt you owe.\n\n\nWhat debts are covered?\n\nPersonal, family, and household debts are covered under the Act. This includes money owed for the purchase of an automobile, for medical care, or for charge accounts.\n\nWho is a debt collector? \nA debt collector is any person who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes attorneys who collect debts on a regular basis.\n\nHow may a debt collector contact you?\nA collector may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram, or fax. However, a debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree. A debt collector also may not contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves of such contacts.\n\nCan you stop a debt collector from contacting you?\nYou can stop a debt collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collector telling them to stop. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact or
538124
I suggest you contact a lawyer in employment law OR contract law. Georgia is a verbal contract state. However, you can't really pursue it without verification (witnesses, recordings, etc.). There are some very good attorneys in Columbus, GA. Just pick up a phone book.
36639
Try this link:\n\nhttp://www.carepathways.com/nhg-state-GA.cfm
606631
contact GA Dep Of Health, state nursing board, state licensure, or even national nursing league via phone or email - you should be able to find phone number or email address on the internet.  They should be able to tell you. Also it depends on which state you practice, Nursing Board may have student loan assistance so that as long as you stay in the same state, they forgive some amount of your student loan in return. good luck!  we need more good nurses.
322800
You need to contact your insurance company.  The answer to this is state specific.  It will depend on whether you are in a "no fault" state or not.  Also if you are at fault or even partially at fault.  Also, what coverages you carry on your policy.\n\nIn Connecticut, there is no "no fault" coverage.  If you're at fault, you need to be carrying medical payments coverage to pay for any medical bills related to the acident, including prescriptions.  If you're not at fault, then you can collect reimbursement from the other person's insurance.
1079185
Lesa,\n\nBelow are a number of links to various sites that may be of help. I have headed each one so you will know the site destination.\n\nGeorgia Child Support Services:\nhttp://ocse.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-OCSE/menuitem.f3ca900e75789bd18e738510da1010a0/?vgnextoid=4f9a10ad92000010VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD\n\nOklahoma Child Support Enforcement Division:\nhttp://www.okdhs.org/childsupport/csservices.htm\n\nUS Department of Health and Human Services:\nhttp://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/prgrpt.htm\n\nThe rest of the links that follow are to private child support recovery services. These can be very effective companies but I would caution against those who require upfront fees. There are a number of privatized collection/recovery services who will only expect their fees upon actual collection of unpaid support. Typically these types of collection companies will deduct up to 30% from the amount actually collected for their services.\n\nhttp://www.child-support-info.org/gpage3.html\n\nhttp://www.supportkids.com/default.aspx\n\nhttp://www.childsupport.com/\n\nhttp://www.childsupportrecovery.com/\n\nhttp://www.supportcollectors.com/\n\nhttp://www.deadbeatparent.com/\n\nhttp://www.child-support-collections.com/\n\n\nI hope this information will be of help and if you need further assistance please feel free to contact me.\n\nBest Wishes
209231
you should check with the BBB or the medical malpractice section of your local courthouse.  (probably their records department)
494300
His estate is responsible for any bills. If he has no estate then the hospital is stuck with the loss.
956594
It's not what you want to hear, but, your medical condition has no legal effect on your lease.\n\nStudent loan expenses are another issue. Contact the people who have your loan about consolidation and the income contingent program.
419453
Max, it's VERY important how the information is reported on your credit report, as it effects how your credit score is calculate\n\nBelow is what the law says.  I'm amazed at how many people keep getting this wrong.  It's written quite plainly so anyone can understand it.  \n\nThe date for reporting begins on the day you defaulted on the loan.  In your case, once your medical services were finished payment is generally due immediately.  If they send you a bill, there is usually a "pay by" date.  That is your default date.  \n\nIf anyone tells you it's the date of the last transaction, the day you last talked to them, the day you pay it off....they are either wrong or just lieing to you.  \n\nBy the way, if you pay off this debt, be sure to get IN WRITING that they will remove this listing from your report.  Otherwise, all they will do is show the account is paid, but the negative reports such as paid late, or sent to collections, will still remain.  Your credit will still be ruined, even though you paid the debt!  Does that make sense to you?\n\nHere is the law:\n\n\n§ 605. Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681c]\n\n(a) Information excluded from consumer reports. Except as authorized under subsection (b) of this section, no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information:\n\n(4) Accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which antedate the report by more than seven years.(1)\n\n(1) In general. The 7-year period referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6)(2) of subsection (a) shall begin, with respect to any delinquent account that is placed for collection (internally or by referral to a third party, whichever is  earlier), charged to profit and loss, or subjected to any similar action, upon the expiration of the 180-day period  beginning on the date of the commencement of the delinquency which immediately preceded the collection activity, charge to profit and loss, or similar action.\n\nUpdated Reply...\n\nJC, this is another example of what pisses me off with you collectors.  YOU can't read!  Read my message again!  The law I quoted is right from the FTC website, and (to me) is fairly obvious.  Where does it say "last charge" or "last payment in the above paragraphs?  \n\nAnd the ONLY thing that can remain on your credit report for more then 7 years is a Bankruptcy.  We are not even discussing that, so why scare people by bringing that up?  \n\nAgain, I will ask you to point me to a source for your information.  I will not accept "because I'm a professional bill collector".  This only proves my point!  If you need more evidence, I will be happy to point out FTC commission position papers, case laws, and state laws that prove you wrong.\n\nEvery response I have seen from you in this forum is always the same. "Pay your bill!".  God!  You make a great collection agent!  You got that part memorized.  But what do you say to the 75 year old lady who just spend 3 months in the hospital and is now $25,000 in debt for medical bills, and can't make that $100 credit card payment?  Oh yeah, right...."Pay your bill!".
776195
If i were you I would call the hospital and talk to someone in patient accounts. i had a friend who was told they had a brain anurism (sp?) and they shipped him to another hospital etc etc and racked up alot of bills and the wife called and ended up they didnt have to pay it. Chances are you will have to pay for the first one though, it was part of your treatment.
750477
Let me help you with this. I was once in your shoes. Take your paystub & a copy of monthly bills to the hospital billing office. Meet with a billing supervisor. Show them your financial statis. Tell them you are trying to pay them as fast as you can. They can help you with a payment schedule. If they get obnoxius or refuse to help. Go to an attorney & file medical bankruptcy. The hospital will usually try to help you rather than loose everything you owe them in bankruptcy procedings. Cheer up it's always darkest before dawn. Good Luck!
38988
It depends. Yes, If it is a life threatening situation, go to the financial dept. of your hospital and tell them your need a application in which the government will pay all or part of your bill (it's based on your income). THey have it. It's a federal law.  Good Luck.
867528
Your brother-in-law is in luck! today, most all patients that can't afford they're medications can get assistance with the bill or even free. In the last year (2005) new pharmacies and medication laws were put into affect and these companies that make the meds will give them away to patients that need them. Some of the top rank meds are diabetes and cancer meds along with heart medications so talk to your pharmacist and get the phone numbers you need and make those calls! you and your brother-in-law will be thank full !! Good luck :)
609033
First visit http://ocse.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site\n\nTheir FAQ link is http://ocse.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-OCSE/menuitem.fdaf90bdfb488bd18e738510da1010a0/?vgnextoid=e22a29d6dce10010VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD\n\nIf you filed for child support and it's been unpaid, there should be no limitations set on when you can collect.  \n\nHere's what the Georgia site says about enforcement:\n\n"The Office of Child Support Services has many administrative enforcement actions available including automatic wage withholding, drivers and professional license suspension, tax refund and lottery intercept, referral to credit bureaus and collection agencies. Contempt actions are usually taken when administrative enforcement actions have failed. The agent assigned to your case makes the decision regarding which enforcement tools to use."
363523
I'm not sure where you are, but here in Georgia it is up to you and the creditor to work it out. \n\nI work in collections and usually when I win the case the judge will allow us to work out the payment plan there and he will write it up and all parties including the judge will sign it. If the customer defaults on these arrangements, then I can get a garnishment or levy with not problem.
574161
Try the County Clerk's Office in your area or contact your local court system.  The health dept. generally comes into play somewhere in there too.\nBest of luck!