Spouses medical bills

My husband had a knee surgery while we were married in the state of Montana. We divorced and he filed bankruptcy. Now I have pulled my credit report and find that there is a judgement against me for 8000.00 that I never knew about for his medical bills. I called the collection agency and they state that he was relieved of the debt when he filed bankruptcy and that it is my responsibility to pay the medical bills. I thought Montana was a separate property state? They are adding 10% interest to the debt annually. What can I do? I never signed anything accepting responsibility for these bills. Please help!

Comments for Spouses medical bills

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Jan 23, 2018
 Help
by: Anonymous

I have a medical bill I am paying through a debt collector, but they just sent a letter under my husband's name. He didn't sign anything to show that he would be responsible but they are still arguing with me that he is because we are married. Is this true or what do I do? Would this be against hippa? Looking for answers.

Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com

It is true that in some states spouses can be held liable for their husband or wife's medical bills. But that's not always the case. It depend on state law. We are going to have to recommend you talk with a consumer law attorney in your state to find out what the rules are. If you can't afford an attorney you may be able to get information from legal aid.


Sep 11, 2015
 Dental Bill for Minors
by: Anonymous

My children's health and dental is on a health insurance with my husband. I took our children to a dentist on the Health Insurances "In Network" list and signed at the time to say I was responsible financially (or they say I did this). The dentist who took the insurance card over the course of three visits had actually fallen out of network and now is after us for total of all visits. The dentist sent my husband invoices only in which he has addressed the Appeals Team within the Health Insurance Co. he has not heard back as yet. Yesterday I discovered they have put the entire amount on my credit report as unpaid. I have never received an invoice in my name. Is this legal, they never asked me for anything? I called and asked them to remove it. They continue to send my husband an invoice in his name for the full amount as well.

Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com

It's incredibly frustrating but in most cases patients are responsible if the insurance doesn't pay, and also their responsibility to make sure they know whether they are using in network providers. (Just another problem with our convoluted medical system!)

There may be state laws or consumer protections that apply however, so I would encourage you to consult a consumer law attorney or your state insurance commissioner. Another option might be to see whether your dentist will accept what insurance would have paid, but it will still be more than what you expected to pay. If you learn something more let us know.
Jul 11, 2015
 It's not your bill
by: Anonymous

Send a letter to the collection agency and tell them it's not your bill? The exact thing happened to me in Montana. The bill is no longer on my credit report.
Jun 04, 2014
 Medical Bills
by: Anonymous

I have $41,000 in medical bills from 2013 in the state of IN. I just received my final bill, and they have cut the bill in half, but I still can't afford $41,000. My husband called them to work out a payment plan and they said it has to be paid in 36 months, at $1100 a month. Well, we definitely can't afford that each month. What other options do we have? Also, I am hoping these debts are only in my name, even though I'm married. As of now my name isn't on the title/mortgage to our home, and I'm not on the loans for any of our vehicles. Can debt collectors go after my husbands assets even though it is my debt and I don't own anything?? I honestly don't know how they can expect anybody to have that kind of money to pay each month. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com

We agree with you. How many people have that kind of money to put toward medical bills? Unfortunately the situation you are in is one that has driven millions of American families into bankruptcy. As painful as it may be, we recommend you meet with a bankruptcy attorney to find out what your options are. It may be possible that you can file without your husband. Or perhaps with the threat of bankruptcy looming you can get them to come down further.

We are so sorry our messed up medical system has put you in this position and hope you are able to find a way out.
Jun 14, 2012
 Spouses medical bills
by: Debtcollectionanswers.com

Yes, you are right, Montana is a separate property state. However, some states, and Montana is one of them have laws that make spouses responsible for each other's medical debts. Therefore, given that your spouse did not pay what he owed, Montana law allows the medical providers to come after you for their unpaid bills.

The law, which exists in many states, is generally referred to as Necessaries Doctrine." Among other things, it says that if a good or service provided to a spouse was necessary for his or her health and well-being then the both spouse's are liable for its cost.

I recommend that you contact a consumer law attorney in your area who helps consumers resolve their debt collection problems to see if there is anything you can do about your problem, but I will be honest, there may not be given the law. You can also go here for a free consultation with a consumer law attorney. And for free advice about medical billing issues, we recommend you visit .

Good luck!

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