what happens if you don't pay medical bills

What Happens If You Don't Pay Medical Bills That Are Overdue?

Are you trying to find out what happens if you don’t pay medical bills that are overdue? The effects can be rather negative, and you’d want to avoid them as much as possible.

It’s no secret that exorbitant medical fees are one of the biggest financial burdens on the American people. Even if you’re one of the lucky ones and have decent insurance covering your medical necessities, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility to struggle with deductibles, emergency services, or medication not covered by your insurance policy.

And many people aren’t lucky. The majority of Americans will struggle with medical bills unless they’ve taken precautions and have some money saved up for emergencies. And most don’t.

The old saying goes forewarned is forearmed. If there’s even a smidgeon of a possibility that you might ever struggle with paying off your medical bills (and likely there is) then you should know what happens if you don't pay medical bills that are overdue and learn how title loan places can help.

Here’s What Happens If You Don't Pay Medical Bills On Time

The medical facility you owe money to may take any of the following measures to get the money they’re owed.

1. They Can Charge Extra

Unsurprisingly, as with most other money you owe – if you don’t make your payments on time, you’ll likely have to pay interest on it.

2. It May Reflect On Your Credit Score

Many people may not know what happens if you don't pay medical bills if the medical facility pursues other ways of pressuring you into paying what you owe. This is where things may get unpleasant. Medical bills are considered civil debt and it appears in your credit report, bringing the score down. Medical debt can remain on your report for up to 7 years.

medical bills help

3. They Might Garnish Your Wage

Okay, not the medical facility itself – but the court can do it in their steed. Here’s what happens if you don't pay medical bills and the facility you owe is determined to get their money – they will take the case to court, and the court may rule against you.

If this happens, it will most likely be in the form of a wage garnishment, which means a certain portion of your paycheck will go to them until the debt is fully paid off.

4. A Collection Agency Might Get Involved

If the medical facility doesn’t wish to go into the fight on their own, they might bring in a debt collection agency to handle the problem for them. Debt collectors usually take over three months after the due date and work much harder to recover the money than medical providers – don’t expect that avoiding their calls and neglecting your debt may make the problem go away.

But You Can Get Your Bills Paid On Time, Here Is How

Now that you know what happens if you don't pay medical bills, here’s how you may avoid or at least minimize the trouble.

1. Find Out If Any Fees Can Be Deducted

First things first – is there a possibility you may have to pay less than you’ve been billed? Get an itemized bill and go through it with a fine comb. There’s a chance some of what has been billed aren’t billable in the first place.

2. Negotiate With The Medical Facility

Get in touch with the medical facility and start negotiating. Be polite but firm. Go through the bill item by item and ask for a reduction. If you’re uninsured, chances are you’ve been billed the master (maximum) rate for your procedure.

If they aren’t budging on the bill, you might try filing a grievance. Another thing you can try is to ask for a payment plan adjustment – one that allows you to make realistic monthly payments towards your bill.

3. Look Into Ways To Get Cash On Short Notice

If the provider isn’t budging either way – the best chance of avoiding trouble is amassing cash as soon as possible to settle the bill.

That said, before striking out to find the nearest title loan places, make sure all other options – ones that don’t add to your debt – have been exhausted. Finding title loan places is easy and getting Tennessee title loans is simple and quick.

Tennessee Title Loans, Inc. for example welcomes all potential borrowers regardless of their credit score and income situations, but that shouldn’t tempt you into getting one before making sure the decision you’re making is well informed and the pros outweigh the cons – and then you can request a loan from title loan places nearby.

title loan places

The Steps To Get A Title Loan

You don’t need to search for title loan places nearby. What you can do instead is to easily get connected to the nearest Tennessee Title Loans, Inc. branch by simply submitting a filled-out form for online title loans no store visit required.

When the form gets processed, a loan representative will give you a call to answer any questions you have and give you further instructions. They will also schedule an appointment with you at a location of your choice.

You’ll need to have your car, the car’s lien-free title in your name, and a state-issued ID (a driver’s license works) to the appointment they set up for you. The representative will inspect the car and the documents and determine if you qualify.

If they find that you are qualified for the loan, you’ll get the money the same day or the following business day.

Qualify For A Title Loan By The End Of The Day

What happens if you don't pay medical bills can be more than just annoying, it can affect you for several years or end up affecting your pay. But you can actually make sure you’re not letting your bills go overdue today by qualifying for a title loan through Tennessee Title Loans, Inc. Submit an online form today to get started.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Louis Tully

Louis Tully is a full-time finance writer offering financial expertise to everyday consumers. He understands the core values of finance and used his writing talents to share his own experiences with money to his readers. His articles teach how financial failures can easily become successes by making new habits and creating realistic goals.