Ex Spouse-Dependent Child Medical Expenses

[HazFaith]

I just received word via my credit monitoring service that I have a "new account" which is a collection agency for a medical debt incurred by my ex wife (who resides in South Carolina) for our dependent child.

 

I am retired military and I have the responsibility of carrying the medical insurance for our child, who incidentally turned 18 a couple of weeks ago. However, medical services were rendered in March 2009, and the invoice has been left unpaid. I contacted the Collection Agency who informed me that the file shows numerous attempts by the doctor's office to obtain payment from my ex wife (this is only a $129.00 invoice). The office in which the treatment was rendered gave the collection agency my information as being the party responsible for the debt because the medical insurance is in my name.

 

I have not received any phone calls, mail or information from either the medical office nor the collection agency. I have only received this notification on my credit file (listed on Equifax and Experian) which prompted me to call the collection agency.

 

I have received no information regarding treatment due to HIPPA laws, so I was not informed that any services were rendered. I do not receive "Explanation of Benefits" forms for my child due to these laws (which I tried to fight), and I did not sign for these services, in fact, I was not informed that the child was going to the doctor, and I never received any telephone calls, letters, etc. that this bill was incurred.

 

Guidelines for South Carolina Child Support states that the first $250 of such medical expenses shall be paid by the custodial parent (my ex wife). My question is:

 

a) Was the medical office wrong by giving my information to the Debt Collection Agency?

 

From a Credit-Rating standpoint, would it be in my best interest to pay the invoice and "admit guilt" or should I fight the collection agency with the view that it is not my responsibility to pay? I currently have a 792 credit rating and I want to keep my excellent rating and obviously if paying the $129 will keep my current rating I would pay the debt.

 

Thank you for your help!

[breeze]

I think the medical office was wrong to turn this over to collections without contacting you themselves for payment. However, at this point, in the interests of getting this off your credit, I suggest you follow the procedure in the medical debts forum. It is detailed, and you should follow instructions exactly - don't add any good ideas of your own. There is a specific reason for everything in that program, even the wording in the letters serves a purpose.

 

As far as what you can do to prevent this happening in the future - I think your only option is to get the ex to cooperate voluntarily, or go back to court, to have them enforce the law, and make the ex pay the first $250, or at least have the court order her to send the EOB's and bills to you so you can pay them and preserve your credit rating.