One surprising myth that seems to persist is that medical bills are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Although the origin of this myth is uncertain, it's one that I hear repeated by people who come into my office. The easy response is that, of course, medical bills are dischargeable.
Medical bills are one of the main reasons that people seek bankruptcy protection. In fact, a report issued by the American Journal of Medicine estimated that over 60% of people in bankruptcy were there solely due to medical bills. Just last year, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured issued a report that estimated the number of uninsured Americans had reach 50 million. Many people who are uninsured (or underinsured) can suddenly find themselves with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills due to an accident or illness. And most of those who cannot afford insurance have no ability to ever re-pay what is owed.
One of the problems with the persistance of this myth is that some people who might be otherwise best advised to seek bankruptcy protection may not seek the help that they need. It is always best to seek the advice of an experienced bankruptcy attorney to review your situation and see if bankruptcy is the right answer.
Filing bankruptcy can be complicated and confusing. For more information on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, or for a free consultation, call me at 330-605-3508 or visit my website at http://www.ohiobankruptcyrelief.com/.
