Asked in Collections for Michigan

Q: Hello. Wanting to know who is ultimately responsible for a medical bill for my son who is now 18 and in college

we had agreed to pay 50% on copays for our son's health care costs. My ex-husband is the insurance carrier. Our son is now 18 and in college. He recently got some dental work done and because the dentist office always had sent the bills in my name, they sent the bill to me. I am now re-married and living at a different address. I got the bill and took a picture and sent it to my ex and let him know I would go pay my half and that he could do the same. He basically told me he wouldn't because our son is now 18..... so I went to the dentist office and paid my half of the bill and asked them to send the rest of bill to my ex husband since our son no longer lives with me and the insurance is his dad's policy. I explained how we divorced and that is how the billing needs to be done now. They told me that since I was always the "head of household" that I would have to pay the bill and that was all between my husband and I. I don't want this to go to collections in my name. what can I do?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
Answered
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: The dentist office will continue to seek collection from you. I would let the dentist office know that your son is over 18 and that you are no longer responsible for any bills in the future, and that they should collect whatever co-pays or anything from your son directly.

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