Question
What is the name of your state? Iowa
My stepdaughter was covered under my insurance through my employer until she graduated from college May 30th of this year. She was attending classes in New York and went to a clinic not covered by my insurance for an after hours visit. They turned in the amount to my insurance company towards the deductible and they have been sending me the bill claiming that since the insurance card was in my name, I am responsible to pay for her bill. At the time of the visit, she was 20 years old. I have never signed anything with the clinic accepting responsibility for her bills. Am I legally bound to pay this? Thank you for any help!What is the name of your state?
Answer
Morally maybe, but this seems to be something your daughter owes. She's a legal adult and that usually ends a parent's financial responsibility. However if they press, you may have to defend a probably baseless claim and have your credit damaged in the process. On the other hand if you "just say no" they may stop trying to intimidate you and turn their attention to your daughter, who will be upset at you as she thought "mom had me covered."
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Did she get the medical visit before or after May 30? Did you inform her after May 30 that her medical insurance was no longer in effect?
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The answer is no. Take the question of insurance out of the equation. If she walked in and had no insurance would you have been responsible?
Call and ask them what insurance has to do with who owes the bill. Tell them your daughter's coverage under your insurance ran on May 30, and you are not responsible.
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OK, so the way I'm reading this is that your daughter was still attending classes and had not graduated at the time she used your insurance card which was good until May 30th.
In order for your daughter to be covered by your insurance after she turned 18, most insurance companies require that you, the guarantor, prove she was a full time student and still a dependent. You can't have it both ways.
If it was an emergency, your insurance company must cover it, and by putting it toward your deductible they did consider it "covered" ("covered" doesn't necessarily mean "paid").
As a provider, I would have sent the bill to the parent (guarantor) for payment as the daughter is still considered a dependent, full time student. We actually had to take some one to court for a similar situation and won.
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I agree with lealea1005 - a full time student usually can be covered as a dependent until age 22 - sometimes 25 - according to what policy provision says.
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I'm not so sure, however, that just having an adult child as a dependant on your insurance necessarily obligates the policyholder to act as a co-signer on all the child's out of pocket bills. The services are in her name, and if she's an adult then the insurance company can't even talk to you about her claims without a signed release from her, so it doesn't seem like you should be responsible for her bills.
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The services are in her name, and if she's an adult then the insurance company can't even talk to you about her claims without a signed release from her, so it doesn't seem like you should be responsible for her bills.
True, and that's the frustrating part for a parent (I know, I have a 20 year old daughter at school in Texas). Despite the parent/guarantor paying the premium, the insurance company cannot release information to the parent/guarantor without a consent from the "dependent adult". However, should the parent not show proof of the student being a dependent, the insurance company would drop them from the parent's plan...it's a catch 22.
In any event, from the OP's post, it sounds like the claim was covered as an out of network benefit, just put toward their deductible which probably would have been the case if ANY of them needed treatment in NY.
Some insurance plans have special exceptions for students going to school out of state and will continue to cover them as "in network" while they're away. They just don't volunteer that information.
Answer
On the other hand if you "just say no" they may stop trying to intimidate you and turn their attention to your daughter, who will be upset at you as she thought "mom had me covered."
No one wants to hear the whole long drawn out story, but there is considerable history here and I don't think anyone would think I was a bad mom by not paying. Kids have got to learn responsibility at some point, your not doing them any favors by allowing them to continually "be covered".
"
Did she get the medical visit before or after May 30? Did you inform her after May 30 that her medical insurance was no longer in effect?"
Before May 30th and we did inform her when her insurance lapsed.
Call and ask them what insurance has to do with who owes the bill. Tell them your daughter's coverage under your insurance ran on May 30, and you are not responsible."
Tried that and they basically replied "Because."
True, and that's the frustrating part for a parent (I know, I have a 20 year old daughter at school in Texas). Despite the parent/guarantor paying the premium, the insurance company cannot release information to the parent/guarantor without a consent from the "dependent adult". However, should the parent not show proof of the student being a dependent, the insurance company would drop them from the parent's plan...it's a catch 22."
Especially considering that she went AFTER HOURS and it was NOT an emergency.
I guess I will have to wait to see if they attempt to turn me over to collection and then explain the situation to them. Or, if I am turned over to collection is it to late to keep it from my credit report? Even if I do pay it right away?
Thank you for your replies, I appreciate the input!
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The bill is in her name, not yours, so I really don't think they can put it on your credit report. Does she not have the ability to pay? Is she just starting her first job? Have you tried telling her that this is her bill and her responsibility?
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For this case.. one forum member is right. I advice get to know your insurance company first there are lots of insurance company who doesn't care of there members what they are really aftering is your cash. Get your insurance company background first.
If your Insurance Company is Tough, we are giving you a chance to advertise your insurance company for free, just submit your company articleat the given site address below.
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Ok, Mr. Top -
First off - it's very rude to come in here advertising your personal web site. And, second, when you DO rudely advertise, you really need to learn a little bit of grammar and spelling or you will make yourself look like a fool (oops, too late)