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Are Mom & Dad Responsible For Their Teenager's Medical Bills? (Even Though They're Now [Legally] An Adult?) Plus: Did The Long Arm Of Benjamin Dover Help Force New (Consumer-Friendlier) Ticketing Policies At American Airlines
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Air date: August 28, 2003
Dealing with your health insurance company can always be a challenge for consumers, but what responsibilities do parents have when their teenaged kids seek medical attention?
Question #1: So Ben, I noticed in your newspaper column this week that a Mom wrote you the following question: "In 2001 my (then) 16 year old daughter was taken to a neighborhood doctor's office (a corner-type "Doc in the Box") with a cold. She filled out the new patient information forms, apparently putting herself down as the "responsible party" on the intake forms. At the time, our health insurance had just lapsed (due to my recent unemployment), but my daughter didn't know this-and presented her health insurance card.
Now two years later, she's getting calls from a bill collector demanding payment for a debt which (they say) is now $255.00 for that single office visit. I will not let the bill collector speak with her, and have told them that she was a "minor child" at the time of the service and they cannot come after her. They continue to call and I've phoned the doctor's office, but the office manager won't return my calls." Okay Ben, what should Mom do?M
Answer #1: Pay the damned bill. The debt was incurred while your daughter was a minor, which means you're ultimately responsible. So be responsible, quit jacking around and pay them. Or let the debt collectors talk to your daughter and give her a shot of adult reality now that she's of legal age.
Question #2: Ben, is there ever any instance when a consumer should deal with a debt collector on a debt?
Answer #2: No...with the exception of student loans, potential car repos and home foreclosures. These are all situations in which the consumer really has no leverage because the debts are either secured (cars and homes) or the creditor can garnish and levy (student loans).
Wanna know more about your rights when it comes to dealing with debt collectors? Look no further.....
Question #3: Also want to follow-up on your last visit here earlier this month and a story that's broken since. Your August 7th column in The Dallas Morning News discussed your own costly experience with a non-refundable ticket on American Airlines and the need for consumers to be aware of all of the fare rules before they buy a ticket. But since your column and story here on Channel 8, American Airlines has changed their policies in this area, haven't they?
Answer #3: Yes!!! And thank God they came around, too! Here's American's press release on the topic, as well as the news story announcing the changes. Fortunately the airline industry is waking up and realizing that they really need to avoid abusing the flying public with these onerous policies.
Here's a quick review of the assorted airline policies regarding re-booking tickets [and getting maximum bang for your flying buck instead of the alternative I got nailed with in July '03]:
American Passengers have to cancel reservation before flight departs; ticket's good for a year from date of issue.
Continental Passengers must cancel reservation before flight departs; ticket's good for a year from date of issue. Policy doesn't apply to some special fares, including weekend deals booked online.
Delta Passengers don't have to cancel reservation before flight departs; ticket's good for a year from date of issue. Policy applies only to domestic tickets.
Northwest Passengers don't need to cancel reservation before flight departs; ticket's good for a year from the date of the original flight departure. Policy doesn't apply to special, Internet-only weekend fares.
Southwest Passengers don't have to call before flight departs to cancel reservation; tickets retain value for up to a year from date of issue.
Airtran Passengers must cancel up to one hour before departure; tickets retain value for up to a year from date of issue.
US Airways Passengers still have to call to cancel flight and re-book new travel by midnight of the
original departure date (the same hose-job American used to do to passengers until they saw the consumer-friendly light). If you don't call, your ticket's worthless.
United Passengers must call to cancel reservation before flight departs; ticket hold its value for a year from date of issue. Policy only applies to tickets.
Interest rates are bumping up fast...and home sales are starting to take off since so many people are afraid they'll miss these record-low interest rates. Now really is the time to buy a home...or if you're thinking about getting divorced, re-finance and take the other spouse outta the picture once and for all! Interest rates are still lower than they were a year ago, so read what the big shots are saying about the future of those (still) incredibly-low interest rates. And since we're on the topic of good timing, what are you waitin' for? Cash in and lock in the lowest rate in decades by re-financing your current mortgage and cut 10 to 15 years off your term! It's easy to get educated about the process first...and the price is right! (Free!) Everything you need to know can be found on-line; get your own copy of Ben's 2003 Home Buyer's Guide by clicking here.
Now that you're motivated to buy a house, or trade-up from your current home...how would you like to get some cash back on your next home purchase (or sale)? (I'll show you how.) Click here.....
Okay, so you're about to move; it's time to go down your "things to do" checklist: Moved your phone service and utilities? [Check!]
Put in your change of address on your mail? [Check!!] Have all of your belongings held hostage by some rogue movers? [Ch----, not!!!] Do your homework (first) and choose the right moving company! Ben's Moving Tips will save you time, money and lots-o-heartache.....
Cable or satellite? You may already know why Ben dropped his cable company in the grease after being a loyal customer for 16 years...but now The New York Times did their own comparison last week that's really worth the read.
If you do decide to cut the cable, or hook-up with satellite TV, the choice really is simple: First off, it's probably not as expensive as you might think...and those satellite TV installers ["great service or else"] put the cable guy to shame. Here's Ben's easy pick.....
Time to get off your butt and start making travel plans for the lonnnnnnnng Labor Day weekend (now only 1 day away, so get moving!!!): Stretch your travel budget and get your Thanksgiving or Christmas-time travel planning handled now while you're at it. Check out Ben's no-brainer choice for hotel room or condo deals: www.hotels.com.
Still looking for a cool birthday (or other special occasion) gift that'll keep on giving, all year long? Then give 'em a subscription to the Dose of Dover...the most reliable source of insights and no s*** ideas available on the planet. (You can afford it...it's free!) Time to share the wealth! Sign-up for a subscription to the weekly Dose of Dover Newsletter right here!
If you (or someone you know) is even remotely thinking about joining some non-profit credit counseling service, hiring a debt re-negotiation company or filing for bankruptcy, you might wanna read this first: Trust me, you'll be more informed and a lot more grateful 10-minutes (or less) from now.....
It's probably time you got that unfinished business with your pals at the IRS handled for (hopefully) good: Tie down those tax-related loose-ends on your terms and get a deal worked out before it's too late. Non-filers...innocent spouses...941 (payroll taxes) for the entrepreneurs amongst us: Know all your options and learn why hiring an Enrolled Agent probably makes the most sense.
It's time to level the playing field with the long-awaited new edition of Back Off! The Definitive Guide To Stopping Collection Agency Harassment:
Read sample chapters from the new book!
Get the inside scoop on those "non-profit" credit counseling agencies.
Read all about the biggest thugs operating under the noses of authorities, rogue collection agencies that terrorize unwitting consumers.
Got credit problems? (Know someone who does?) Wanna know more about the inner-workings of that black hole known as the credit reporting bureau? You can get a digital copy of Ben's 1993 (#5) bestseller Life After Debt on-line, right now.Read how right here.....
Wanna buy your first home...or a bigger home...or just re-finance? Interest rates are STILL at incredibly-low levels...so quit waiting on guessing the winning 6 Lotto Texas numbers: Ben's no-brainer choice for any/all of your mortgage needs? Easy...do it all on-line or on the phone with the official mortgage company of www.benjamindover.com and your first (and only) stop: W.R. Starkey Mortgage. Hit their website or call their main Dallas-Fort Worth office toll-free: (888) 282-6632.
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