2007-04-26 10:49:19 · 9 answers · asked by Lynette H 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Sure they can, if they have provided a service to you, and they are expecting payment and you haven't paid them, they have every legal right to add finance charges. As long as the interest rate is reasonable and legal according to the laws of your state they can do it. If there were reasonable circumstances as to why you couldn't pay them on time, and this is your first time doing it, you could contact them and see if you could get them to waive the charges, but they don't have to.
2007-04-26 12:13:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Medical offices are still businesses and need to be paid. If you missed a payment or did not pay your bill they can and should charge finance charges. If they are charging finance charges on charges that were paid by the insurance company you can fight those. They have contracts with insurance companies and those charges are settled between the office and the insurance company.
2007-04-26 17:51:33 · answer #2 · answered by blissdds 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In some states it is illegal, but in some states it is. I'd suggest you pay the principle in full before you are sent to collections, then negotiate with them afterward because they cannot take you to collections if you have paid the principle amount in full. If you recieve the collections notice, you can Just dispute the remaining balance, saying you payed what was owed in full. In order for them to collect, they will have to get a judgement and most courts won't grant that if the only thing you owe is finance charges, especially on a medical bill.
2007-04-26 17:52:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any business which advances money, goods, or services are generally allowed to charge fees/interest for the "loan". State laws vary widely as to what can be charged though. You should carefully examine your contract/agreement with the provider as such fees/interest must usually be fully disclosed in advance. Failure to pay a debt generally subjects the person owing to at least the "legal interest rate" as defined by the State even without an express clause in the contract/agreement.
2007-04-26 18:01:18 · answer #4 · answered by wcslaw1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
their not "medical offices"...they are "medical corporations"...big business now. So of course they can. It isn't bad enough that their fees are outrageous...now they are gonna get you with interest. ah, whatever happened to the good old "doctors office?" When a doctor was a doctor and not a friggin corporation.
2007-04-26 17:53:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they can, in most states. If they put the charge on your credit report, it can be disputed and removed because it is a HIPPA violation.
2007-04-26 17:55:23 · answer #6 · answered by nkengaola 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they can, don't wait for it to go to collection, then the interest is really high and they can charge you for each attempt to contact ou.
2007-04-26 17:52:31 · answer #7 · answered by sweet sue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course they can.
2007-04-26 17:51:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Of course! They certainly can, and most do!
2007-04-26 17:52:47 · answer #9 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋