Having a child is supposed to be a happy blessed time, but if your baby is born with a birth defect it can be emotionally devastating, and expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily have to devastate you financially. Dealing with the accumulating medical bills may seem impossible, but assistance is available. Never ignore a bill, because this can lead to collection agency action and lawsuits. Instead, consider these ways of satisfying your financial obligations.
Ask Providers for Assistance
Hospitals and doctor’s offices often provide financial assistance, especially for bills related to birth defect cases, which may be unexpected. These programs can require a lot of paperwork, but larger institutions have financial counselors who can help you navigate the system. Payment plans with no interest may be available, saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In some cases, bills may be forgiven or paid off by charities associated with the medical provider.
Try Medicaid
For assistance from a medical institution, you may be required to file for Medicaid first. You can apply for Medicaid benefits through your state, though eligibility varies. This public health insurance program provides medical coverage for millions of low-income American adults and children. Pregnant women and children with disabilities are often covered, and benefits may be retroactive. Other government programs are also available in some jurisdictions.
Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer
If your child’s birth defect can be linked to a doctor’s negligence or chemical exposure before birth, for example, a birth injury lawyer may be able to get you a financial settlement or judgment from the responsible party. Contacting a birth injury lawyer as soon as possible after learning of a birth defect provides the best chance for compensation. It often becomes more difficult for legal investigators to gather evidence as time passes.
Apply for a Loan
As a last resort, a loan from a financial institution can keep creditors off your back. Bank loans often have much more favorable interest rates and terms than credit cards, which are considered a bad choice for paying off debts. Be sure to explain the reason for the loan to your financial institution and ask for special rates for medical bills, which are available in some cases. A compassionate banker can point you toward other resources as well.
A child with a birth defect comes with long-term financial consequences that can’t be avoided. By asking for help, though, your medical bills can be reduced, eliminated, or perhaps recovered through legal action. Rather than avoiding bills, facing them squarely is the right path toward sensible solutions.
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