What Happens if You Don't Pay a Hospital Bill?

Getting hurt in an accident is bad enough, but then come the hospital bills, which can be overwhelming. You might be wondering what happens if you can’t pay them.

Unpaid medical bills can hurt your credit score, but you have rights that protect you. You can dispute charges you believe are wrong, and debt collectors must follow specific rules. If your credit score has been damaged, it may still be possible to recover.

Further, if someone else caused your injuries that led to the hospital bills, you have the right to hold them accountable and seek compensation for your losses, which includes hospital bills. A Dripping Springs personal injury lawyer can pursue the compensation you deserve and potentially work things out with medical providers, so your unpaid bills do not affect your credit in the meantimes.

A Dripping Springs personal injury lawyer will explain your options and help you pursue compensation to cover these expenses.

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What happens if you don’t pay your medical bills?

If you don’t pay your hospital bills, a few things could happen:

The hospital might charge you extra money for being late.
People might start calling you a lot to ask for money.
Damage to your credit score. If it goes down, it might be harder to get loans or credit cards later.
In rare cases, the hospital might sue you to try to get the money.
Wage garnishment. If you lose in court, the hospital might be able to take money right out of your paycheck.
The hospital might put a “lien” on your property. This means if you sell your house or car, they get paid first.
Trouble getting future medical care. Some doctors might not want to treat you if you owe a lot of money.

Does unpaid medical debt go away?

Unfortunately, unpaid medical bills don’t just disappear on their own. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

Statute of limitations: After a certain amount of time (usually 4 years in Texas), the hospital can’t sue you anymore. But the debt still exists.
Credit reports: Unpaid medical bills can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years.
Bankruptcy: In some cases, people file for bankruptcy to get rid of medical debt. But this is a big decision with serious consequences
Negotiation: Sometimes, hospitals will agree to lower the bill or set up a payment plan if you talk to them.

Injury lawyers can often negotiate with medical providers after a personal injury

If you got hurt because of someone else’s mistake (like a car accident or a fall in a store), a personal injury lawyer might be able to help with your medical bills. Here’s how:

Negotiate with the hospital: Lawyers often have good relationships with hospitals. They might be able to get the hospital to lower your bill or wait for payment.
Use liens: Sometimes, the lawyer can arrange for the hospital to put a lien on your case instead of billing you right away. This means they agree to wait for payment until your case is over.
Get a bigger settlement: A good lawyer can often get more money from the person who hurt you. This can help cover all your medical bills.
Handle bill collectors: If bill collectors are bothering you, your lawyer can talk to them instead.
Find all available insurance: Lawyers know how to find all possible insurance that might cover your bills.
Maximize compensation: They can make sure any settlement includes enough money to cover all your medical costs, even future ones.

What if you can’t afford your medical bills?

If you can’t pay your hospital bill after a car accident or other issue, there are things you can do. For example, you can:

Talk to the hospital (or have your attorney do so), and they might be able to lower your bill or set up a payment plan.
Check for mistakes. Look closely at your bill and ask questions if something seems wrong.
Ask about financial aid. Many hospitals have programs to help people who can’t afford to pay.
Look into government help. Programs like Medicaid might be able to help with your bills.
Try crowdfunding. Some people ask friends and family for help online.
Negotiate. You might be able to get a lower price if you offer to pay a smaller amount all at once.

It’s better to do something than nothing. Ignoring the bill won’t make it go away.

Review your rights as a patient and consumer

You have rights when it comes to medical bills:

You have the right to understand your bill. If something is confusing, ask for an explanation.
You can ask for an itemized bill detailing everything you’re being charged for.
You have the right to dispute charges you think are wrong.
Hospitals can’t refuse to treat you in an emergency, even if you owe them money.
Debt collectors have to follow rules when trying to collect medical debt.
In some states, there are limits on how much hospitals can charge people without insurance.
You have the right to keep your medical information private, even if you owe money.

Will unpaid medical bills affect my credit score?

Unpaid medical bills can affect your credit score, but not right away. Here’s what you need to know:

There’s a waiting period: Medical bills don’t show up on your credit report for one year, which gives you time to work things out with the hospital or your insurance.
Paid medical bills might come off your report: If you pay a medical bill that’s on your credit report, it might be removed.
Medical bills might not hurt your score as much. Some newer credit scoring models don’t count medical bills as much as other debts.
Old medical debts might go away. After seven years, medical debts should come off your credit report.
Your score can recover. If your score does go down because of medical bills, it can get better over time if you pay your other bills on time.
You can explain. You can add a note to your credit report explaining that the debt is from medical bills.
Check your credit report. Sometimes, medical bills show up by mistake. You can get free credit reports to check.

A Dripping Springs, Texas personal injury lawyer can help

If you’re worried about unpaid medical bills after an accident in Texas, York Law APC personal injury lawyers will help. We offer free consultations, charge no upfront costs, and deal with insurance companies to secure compensation to cover your medical expenses.

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What Happens if You Don’t Pay a Hospital Bill?