What To Do When You Are Being Sued For Medical Debt

Being Sued For Medical Debt Is No Fun
If you are being sued for medical debt, its because the provider feels like they have exhausted most of their options and have a better chance of collecting the money by taking you to court. There are a number of important things you need to know about this situation. The most important one being, don’t sweep this under the rug, because it won’t go away. I’ve got some insights that will help you deal with this matter in the proper manner, so pay close attention.

Help, I'm Being Sued For Medical Debt!
The first thing you need to know if you are being sued for medical debt is that no matter how daunting this issue may seem, it is not the end of the world. I shared that to say this, don’t allow this situation nor the people who will engage you in arms, namely the debt collectors and the attorney’s for the plaintiff, make you lose your sanity or sleep over this matter. Know for a certainty they are going to try their best; it’s nothing personal. It’s just the system; it treats any debtor harshly who doesn’t know his or her rights.

What Do These Debt Collectors Want - Water From a Sand Dune?
Secondly, when you are being sued for medical debt, those who filed the papers against you are debt collectors, nothing more and nothing less. They simply work on behalf of the hospital, doctor or emergency care provider to collect that debt. These debt collectors usually don’t get paid until they actually collect a debt. Let me put it another way; if they don’t collect the debt, they don’t get paid. Generally speaking, when you are being sued for medical debt, they don’t care about your personal circumstances, hardships or money woes. They want to collect the money from you, scratch you off their list and move on to the next group of debtors.

When Your'e Being Sued For Medical Debt, Debt Collectors Will Get Aggressive
Thirdly, when you are being sued for medical debt, the more you owe, the more aggressive they will become. It’s the nature of the beast. If someone owes $218.16 versus your $6,800.00, naturally, they are going to focus a greater percentage of their efforts on you. It boils down to simple mathematics, the more you owe, the greater the commission they earn if they collect.

I Feel Like The Debt Collectors Are Harrassing Me
Fourthly, when you are being sued for medical debt, if it seems like they are hounding you; it’s because they are! But you need to know these facts. It is counterproductive for debt collectors to hire people to smile and dial anymore. Now days, almost everyone uses what’s called predictive dialers and IVR systems. These are voice automated phone systems that never tire. They will dial your number 10 to 15 times a day if they are programmed to do so. In addition, those dunning letters that you receive are all from automated systems. Humans rarely participate in this part of debt collection anymore; it’s just too costly. Don’t panic because of the phone calls or letters; respond to their first letter with a debt collection Cease and Desist Notice.

What To Do When You Are Being Sued For Medical Debt
Never ignore any notices you receive. Never, but never negotiate any deals over the telephone with any debt collector. Never respond to any of the ever popular automated dialers known as predictive dialers or IVR systems. As I stated, debt collectors set up computers to make their calls, when you answer the phone, they may give you the option of pressing “1” or some other number they offer to make payment arrangements, don’t ever select that option under any circumstances! The only form of communication you should have with any debt collector MUST be in writing. If you take any other route, you may be unwittingly flushing your rights down the toilet.

Take This Matter Seriously!
Remember, when you are being sued for medical debt, this is lawsuit with serious implications. Once they’ve filed and you have been properly served, you want to respond immediately! The thing you want to avoid if at all possible is a judgment filed against you, especially by default. If you can afford an attorney, get all of your paperwork together and look for a consumer protection attorney that specializes in consumer debt. However, if you need an attorney but can’t afford one, you may qualify for free legal aid. To find out go to Findlaw.com to locate help in your area.

Another option you have when you are being sued for medical debt if you can’t afford an attorney, is to go to your local for Consumer Credit Counseling Services Organization. They are a non-profit organization, so their fees will be modest. They have experienced credit counselors, who negotiate debt and repayment plans on a daily basis. Their insight may be just what you need to help you make the best decision.

And finally, if you can't afford an attorney, you can fight the lawsuit Pro Se, if you are properly prepared. To fimd out what it takes go to, Being Sued For Debt.

Joel Marks has been helping people get out of debt and avoid both bankruptcy and foreclosure for over fifteen years. Utilizing savvy debt counseling, debt management programs, Federal laws and a team of attorneys, debt counselors and advisors, he has quietly assisted thousands come from under the heavy burden debt.

For more information on this topic or any other issue related to getting out of debt, living debt free, debt management, debt relief, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and stopping debt collectors in their tracks, please visit www.DebtErasure.com

Source: http://debterasure.com/