Question

Do I file a medical bankruptcy if I have too many hospital bills?

I got severely ill and I couldn't keep up with my payments. I needed a lot of medical attention and money to pay for all of the bills. Now I am very behind and I am not sure what to do. Can I file a 'medical' bankruptcy?
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Answered By: Breckenridge and Walton
There is no such thing. There is only bankruptcy. If you file, it deals with ALL of your debts and assets.

Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/27/2011

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Answered By: Paul Stuber, Attorney at Law
There is no technical difference between a bankruptcy based on medical bills and one that is not. A large percentage are in fact based mostly on medical bills. It may be a good option for you.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 9/23/2011

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Answered By: Heupel Law
There is no such thing as a medical bankruptcy. You would file bankruptcy and depending on your situation, you would either file Chapter 7 or 13.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 9/16/2011

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Answered By: Grasso Law Group
There is no such thing as a medical bankruptcy. You can file for bankruptcy and include your medical bills as debts in your petition, just like other unsecured debts (e.g. credit cards).

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/14/2011

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Answered By: G. Anthony Yuthas & Assoc.
This is common and is just a normal bankruptcy. Most, if not all, medical bills are dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 9/14/2011

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Answered By: Bankruptcy Law Center
Yes, you can file bankruptcy on medical bills. Unpaid overwhelming medical bills are the most common reason for filing bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 9/14/2011

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Answered By: Law Office of Lynnmarie A. Johnson
There is no such thing as a "medical bankruptcy" but you can file a general bankruptcy that includes all of your unsecured creditors, and all of those creditors can be medical bills. Hope you health problems have been resolved.

Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/14/2011

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Answered By: The Morris Law Group
Medical bills can be discharged in bankruptcy. In fact many people are forced file bankruptcy because of a serious illness.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

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Answered By: AZ Law Group of Trezza & Associates
You can file bankruptcy and you must include all your debts and assets in the case.

Answer Applies to: Arizona
Replied: 9/13/2011

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Answered By: Bankruptcy Law office of Bill Rubendall
One of the most common consideration in filing bankruptcy is on account of medical bills.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Eranthe Law Firm
You file a bankruptcy and list all debts. Medical bills should be discharged. There is no such thing as a "medical bankruptcy." Bankruptcy is an all or nothing proposition.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Ashman Law Office
There is no such thing as a "medical bankruptcy" although many bankruptcies are caused by medical bills.

Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Charles Schneider, P.C.
There is no such thing as a "medical" bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Indianapolis Bankruptcy Law Office of Eric C. Lewis
There's no such distinction as a "medical" bankruptcy. Medical bills are discharged in bankrutpcy, along with all other dischargable debt.

Answer Applies to: Indiana
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Financial Relief Law Center
I am not aware of a "medical bankruptcy" however, you can file bankruptcy for all of your unsecured debt, including your medical debt. Often times many people end up filing bankruptcy just for their medical debt, which can all be discharged in you are eligible to qualify for a chapter 7 and have enough exemptions to cover your assets. If you are very far behind on the payments then you may want to seriously consider if you can benefit from filing for bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Grace Law Offices of John F Geraghty Jr.
A medical bill is like any other debt and can be discharged in Bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: Georgia
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Janet A. Lawson Bankruptcy Attorney
There is no such thing as a "medical bankruptcy". Bankruptcy is bankruptcy. You file and must list all of your debts, no matter what they are for.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

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Answered By: Bird & VanDyke, Inc.
There is no specific bankruptcy filing designated as a medical filing. You would simply file a normal chapter 7 and include all your debts.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Lewis Adams and Associates
A bankruptcy must include all of your obligations. If they predominately medical in nature, there would only be less concern that the bankruptcy was filed in good faith.

Answer Applies to: Utah
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Harry L Styron
There is no such thing as a "medical" bankruptcy. However, your situation is the most common reason for filing. Before you do so, however, you should attempt to negotiate with your health care providers and hospitals, who are much more interested in being paid something rather than holding out for the full amount and getting nothing in a bankruptcy. You should be aware that most health care providers refer their accounts to collection after six months. The collection agencies they use specialize in medical bills, and it is common enough to be able to negotiate the bill down to .25 on the dollar. If you can't afford that then you probably should discuss your situation with a bankruptcy attorney.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Maureen O' Malley
You can file a bankruptcy that includes all debts, whether medical or credit card or other bills.

Answer Applies to: Virginia
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Michael Johnson
Yes. The title medical bankruptcy is really not true it is a normal bankruptcy with a few differences. It will include all debt you have.

Answer Applies to: Florida
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Judith A. Runyon, Esq. Attorney at Law
There is no such thing as a medical bankruptcy If you qualify for a ch. 7 bankruptcy your medical bills will be discharged.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Offices of Joseph A. Mannis
There is no such thing. Bankruptcy is bankruptcy - you list all your debts, whether they be medical bills, credit cards, etc.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Law Office of Xochitl Anita Quezada
Although there are several different bankruptcy chapters, there isn't a medical bankruptcy. Depending on your income, you need to look into Chapter 7, 11, or 13. Qualification for bankruptcy does depend on the type of debts you have but your income. An attorney can help you determine whether you qualify for bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Dan Wilson Bankruptcy
When you file a bankruptcy you mist list all your debts. Medical bills are dischargeable.

Answer Applies to: Colorado
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Diefer Law Group, P.C.
Yes, you can file a bankruptcy for medical bills.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Selleck Legal, PLLC
A bankruptcy is a bankruptcy. You can include all of your credit card debt along with medical bills. There is not a separate "medical" bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: Michigan
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Symmes Law Group, PLLC
You should probably just file for chapter 7 bankruptcy as there is no such thing as medical bankruptcy.

Answer Applies to: Washington
Replied: 9/13/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

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