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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? Joining us is our un-common sense expert live
from Dallas, good morning Benjamin Dover..."
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?
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.....
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 Bens'
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? [Check...not!!!]
Do your homework (first) and
choose the right moving company! Ben's
Moving Tips will save you time, money and lots-o-heartache.....
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!
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