Unpaid Medical Bills & Divorce

I commend you on paying child support and medical insurance. Keeping up with both of these expenses is no small feat.

Divorce can be difficult and each decree is different. I will take your word on what your decree stipulates. Equal share is equal. However, if your ex-spouse takes the kids to the doctor or dentist, you are the responsible party covering any costs because your are the primary insured party. Customarily, medical co-pays must be paid at the time of service. Dental costs not covered by the plan are usually billed afterward. However, each provider has its own policies.

Medical costs and divorce

Here is a proven method of keeping children's medical costs equitable: Keep a spreadsheet of all costs incurred. In the spreadsheet have the following columns:

• Date of service
• Out-of-pocket
• Amount reimbursed by insurance
• Net cost of service
• Service provider
• Brief description of service
• Child name

Your ex-spouse should do the same thing. Every month send each other an e-mail message with those costs detailed. Reconcile the amounts, and whoever paid more should be reimbursed by the other.

Be thankful your costs are less than $250. Many children have medical issues where the monthly costs are extremely high.

It is your insurance coverage that is providing for your children and unless you become uninsured (via unemployment or life-changing event), you are responsible for the costs. You cannot change the provider’s billing system.

An alternative is to speak with your divorce attorney to go back to court to revise the decree and change the specifics of the medical costs not covered by the insurance. That would cost more than what it seems your medical expenses are today, if you are mentioning a judge would not hear your case unless the costs exceed $250.

I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.

Best,

Bill

Bills.com