Author Topic: Financial obligation problem DIvorce settlement  (Read 2763 times)

Consumer1

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Financial obligation problem DIvorce settlement
« on: March 16, 2012, 10:55:49 AM »
My sister is a single mother of 3 and has a problem/dillemma ... She has been divorced many years and the decree states that her son's medical expenses will be covered by the father (who lives across country). She had to take her son to see a Doctor and the office had her sign a financial agreement form. She asked would they see her son if she didn't sign, they said NO. SO she explained the Divorce Decree to them and they took down the information, but still made her sign it.
She recieved the bill addressed to her, since there is a co-pay (going against (crediting) the Father's insurance, the bill was over $500.00. Now since the bill is in her name, the Father say's it's not his bill.
Is there something she could have done, or can do now to get the office to bill the Father?
Thank you for the time to answer this, any informtion will be helpful.

DMK

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Re: Financial obligation problem DIvorce settlement
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2012, 01:35:02 PM »
The office is not obligated to wait for payment, or to send the bill to anyone else.  The mom should forward the bill to the dad (the name of the patient on the bill should be the child anyway) and a copy to the family court with a letter stating that the dad refuses to pay a bill that it was decreed that he pay.  It may take the court forcing the issue to set precedent.

It's ugly, but pretty common.  It's too bad people don't do what they are supposed to do, especially when a child's welfare is involved.

In the meantime, the mom may have to make small payments monthly to keep her good credit with the doctor's office.

Sorry that this is happening to mom and child.


PMRNC

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Re: Financial obligation problem DIvorce settlement
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2012, 02:57:42 PM »
Quote
The office is not obligated to wait for payment, or to send the bill to anyone else.  The mom should forward the bill to the dad (the name of the patient on the bill should be the child anyway) and a copy to the family court with a letter stating that the dad refuses to pay a bill that it was decreed that he pay.  It may take the court forcing the issue to set precedent.

It's ugly, but pretty common.  It's too bad people don't do what they are supposed to do, especially when a child's welfare is involved.

In the meantime, the mom may have to make small payments monthly to keep her good credit with the doctor's office.

Sorry that this is happening to mom and child.

Absolutely correct. Doctors offices don't get in the middle of custody/financial agreements with divorce, financially according to their office, mom is responsible, she in turn can take the issue up with family court for reimbursement.  It's mostly due to HIPAA, they don't send the bill to dad, it's up to the other parent to do that, legally speaking they can't get dad involved because of HIPAA.
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Re: Financial obligation problem DIvorce settlement
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2012, 02:57:42 PM »