Affordable Care Act May Help Consumers Fight Their Medical Debt ...

The Affordable Care Act contains little-known provisions that may help working families tackle overwhelming medical debts, according to a recent report from the Chicago Tribune.

The relief is certainly needed, as sources indicate that unpaid medical bills account for roughly half of all debts reported to credit agencies.

But most people, and even many medical provides, are unaware of the provision of the new health care law that expressly prohibits certain kinds of collection actions.

Health Care Law Takes Aim at Aggressive Debt Collectors

According to sources, the health care law directed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to punish hospitals that fail to meet certain care requirements. If hospitals break these new rules, they may lose their federal tax exemptions.

Under the new rules, hospitals must provide written forms that explain their financial assistance policies, including who is eligible for free or reduced cost medical care.

In the past, such information was not widely publicized, and patients who were eligible for discounted care were often completely unaware of their potential cost savings.

In addition, hospitals must refrain from ?extraordinary collections actions? against patients before determining whether those patients are eligible for financial aid.

This phrase, ?extraordinary collections actions? has not yet been defined, but sources suggest that the language was used in order to protect low-income patients from endless harassment by collection agencies.

Unfortunately, many hospitals have not started to honor these new rules, with some hospitals going so far as to demand payments in their waiting rooms, so patients must learn their rights so they can defend themselves when it comes time to pay their medical bills.

Tips for Consumers Looking to Reduce Their Medical Bills

If you have recently received medical care, and are concerned about having a medical bill reported to a collection agency, contact your hospital?s billing department and request information about receiving financial assistance.

In addition, you are also entitled to ask whether the hospital provides counseling for patients with large medical costs. If the hospital?s employees refuse to answer these questions over the phone, send a letter to the hospital?s senior management.

And if these methods fail to solve your debt woes, remember that filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy may be a promising alternative source of medical debt relief.

In Chapter 7, consumers may be able to discharge some or all of their unsecured debts, including their medical bills, provided that they meet certain filing requirements.

Source: http://www.clearbankruptcy.com/blog/affordable-care-act-may-help-consumers-fight-their-medical-debt/

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