Options for dealing with significant medical debt

When a person goes through a serious medical problem, serious medical bills often follow. Even with insurance, a trip to the emergency room, prolonged illness or surgery can ultimately result in medical debt that a person may not be able to manage. There are several things a person can do in this situation, and it may be possible to find relief from debt collectors or work with creditors.

One of the first things a Tennessee consumer would be wise to do is confirm that the amount of the debt is correct.  Hospitals and other medical facilities can make mistakes, and billing errors are quite common. If a person cannot afford payments on the confirmed amount or cannot pay any amount, he or she may want to reach out to the creditors. It may be possible to work on a payment plan.

In some cases, creditors may be willing to give a consumer a discount if he or she is able to make a lump sum payment. However, despite these options, it still may not be possible to manage the medical debt. In this situation, a person may want to consider the benefits of filing for bankruptcy.

Consumer bankruptcy offers overwhelmed Tennessee consumers the opportunity to deal with their debts, including medical debt. By offering protection from creditors, an overwhelmed consumer can gain relief from the debts that accumulated for reasons beyond his or her control. A complete assessment of the individual situation can help a person understand the specific legal options available for his or her individual and unique financial situation.