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Can I Get Help With Medical Bills?
- Some hospitals and clinics in North Dakota operate a Charity Care
program.
- Under a charity care program, the medical facilities reduce the medical
debt based on the patient's financial situation. Not all medical facilities
in North Dakota have charity care programs.
- You should contact your local medical facility to see if they provide
a charity care program.
How Are Medical Bills Different From Other Bills?
- North Dakota law prevents medical creditors from collecting a late
charge on medical debts during the initial 90 days following services.
After 90 days a late payment charge of one percent per month may be
added, not to exceed $25 per month.
- A medical creditor collecting the allowed late payment or interest
must provide the debtor with a monthly statement which must include:
- The interest rate changed
- The unpaid balance
- Any amount subtracted
- Any amount paid by the debtor
- The amount of the late payment charge
If I'm Making Payments, Can My Bill Be Turned Over
For Collection?
Yes. Even if you are making your monthly payments on time, the creditor
can still turn the bill over to a collection agency or sue you to get
a judgment. If the collection or creditor gets a judgment, they will get
at least 6% interest on the bill from the date of judgment entered.
A judgment is a written court decision. It allows the creditor to try
to garnish your wages or bank accounts or try to sell your property to
pay the bill.
Besides Interest, Are There Any Other Fees I Am Required
To Pay?
- Each time the sheriff serves you papers, he charges a fee. These fees
are added to the judgment.
- In addition, each time the sheriff is able to collect some money to
reduce the judgment, the county gets a percentage of the money.
Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. If you have a legal
problem, you should talk to a lawyer and ask for advice about your options.
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