My wife left the country. Am I liable for her medical bills?
My wife left to her country without paying her medical bills. She doesn't have a SSN number. It was an emergency and I took my wife to the hospital (no insurance). Will it affect my credit history? I filled the form in at the hospital and I gave them all my details like SSN, phone number. Debt collection agents sent a letter, which is on my wife name. Please let me know with all the details.
If you signed an admission form that included guarantor language when you checked your spouse into the hospital, then you promised to pay for your spouse's debt if your spouse does not. I urge you to consult with an attorney in the state where you reside who has experience in consumer law. Contact the local county bar association and ask for names of attorneys who specialize in consumer law.
When you go to your first meeting with the attorney, bring all papers related to your spouse's hospitalization. In particular, you mentioned that you told the hospital your social security number, telephone number, and so on. Bring that document to your meeting!
An attorney will be able to advise you of your rights and liabilities based on your state laws and the documents you signed before and during your spouse's stay in the hospital. I realize my answer does not provide the information you seek, but it is impossible for me to even guess what your liabilities are without knowing more information.
You should know that medical bills are unsecured debt, which is like credit card debt, a deficiency balance, or a payday loan. See What Are My Debt Resolution Options? to learn how to resolve your spouse's medical debt, if you are indeed responsible for it.
I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.
Best,
Bill
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