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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law and Collections for California on
Q: Can unpaid dental premium <$500 be sent to collections and affect your credit score?

The reason I ask is because I know the 3 credit reporting agencies say that medical debt <$500 won't affect your credit.

So even if sent to collections, it won't affect your credit score.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 26, 2023

In California, unpaid dental premiums, even if less than $500, can indeed be sent to collections. If this happens, it could negatively affect your credit score. When a debt is sent to collections, it typically gets reported to credit bureaus, and as a result, it appears on your credit report.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Health Care Law for Wisconsin on
Q: Does an outpatient county mobile crisis counselor need to give HIPAA and ADA notices prior to services beginning?

If a person is admitted to an IMD under the emergency DHS chapter 34 - emergency rule, the State of Wisconsin makes an exception for the IMD or hospital to hold off giving patient their rights until a patient is stable. Under the DHS 34, inpatient rights can be delayed and provided or given at a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 24, 2023

In Wisconsin, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements apply to outpatient services, including mobile crisis counseling. Generally, these regulations mandate that providers inform patients of their rights under HIPAA and the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: Received $1277 ER bill .Got a letter in the mail 6 months later that my bill is now $3257

My bill was sent to a collection agency a few weeks ago I told them the bill I received originally was lower they claimed that's not what they have on their end.

I contacted the hospital billing they said they can't pull up my billing records or discuss my services with me. And... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 23, 2023

In California, dealing with medical billing disputes, especially when they involve a collection agency, can be challenging but there are steps you can take to address this situation. First, request a detailed itemization of the bill from the collection agency. They are required to provide you with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Health Care Law for New York on
Q: Is it illegal a child's mom forces the father to take the child while COVID positive and also his gf is too.

She wouldn't take no for an answer. Forced her son to be exposed to COVID. Now does the father have the right to keep the child until he fully quarantines?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 22, 2023

if the child is exposed to COVID and becomes sick, the parent who forced the child to take the child could be held liable for the child's medical expenses. Additionally, if the child is exposed to COVID and then infects other people, the parent who forced the child to take the child could be... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Health Care Law for New York on
Q: Is it illegal a child's mom forces the father to take the child while COVID positive and also his gf is too.

She wouldn't take no for an answer. Forced her son to be exposed to COVID. Now does the father have the right to keep the child until he fully quarantines?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 23, 2023

In New York, the legality of this situation hinges on the specifics of the custody arrangement and the best interests of the child. If a custody agreement or court order is in place, both parents are expected to follow it unless there's an immediate risk to the child's health or safety.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law for New York on
Q: Hi. Hru? Can a hospital refuse visitation for a patient? And the patient can’t really communicate herself with staff

My girlfriend was admitted to the hospital with a very serious condition and she’s constantly complaining of pain which is very normal but doctors yesterday told me that they find it very strange and therefor won’t allow anyone from visiting her !

She needs me to be there for her and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 23, 2023

In New York, hospitals generally have policies regarding visitation, especially in cases involving serious medical conditions. These policies aim to ensure patient safety and proper care. However, a hospital's refusal to allow visitation can be concerning, particularly when a patient is unable... View More

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Q: Who protects the patients right in a a pain clinic riddled with assumptions, their drug screen had a false positive.

It's time to stand up for myself its wildly unfair, Dr was so abrupt and would not discuss anything despite having been compliant and twice now false positive. Other meds I take as well as red bull apparently can cause false positives. She discharged me abruptly w/o any discussion. I am paying... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 22, 2023

In California, patients at pain clinics have rights that need to be respected, especially in situations involving drug screening and treatment decisions. If you've encountered a situation where a false positive on a drug test led to abrupt discharge from care, there are steps you can take.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Health Care Law for Ohio on
Q: Can I bring a case against a VHA employee fir violation of My privacy if they are found to have violated HIPPA?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 21, 2023

If you believe a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employee has violated your privacy rights under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), you do have options to address this violation. However, it's important to understand that HIPAA does not provide a direct... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Health Care Law for California on
Q: My pain clinic doctor performs drug screens in her clinic and leaves many screen unattended, then having a positive

Help is desperate needed my pain clinic dropped me and did not take another screen or hair folicul to help prove inaccurate test results. I feel helpless

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 19, 2023

In California, if you believe that a drug screen at your pain clinic was improperly handled or yielded inaccurate results, there are steps you can take to address this situation.

Firstly, it's important to communicate your concerns directly with the clinic. Request a meeting to discuss...
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2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law for California on
Q: Who protects the patients right in a a pain clinic riddled with assumpsumtions

It's time to stand up for myself its wildly unfair

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 19, 2023

In California, patients' rights in pain clinics are protected by several entities and laws. The Medical Board of California oversees physician conduct and ensures they adhere to professional standards. If you feel your rights have been violated, filing a complaint with the Medical Board is an... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for Puerto Rico on
Q: Can a doctor not accept insurance plans they are contracted to accept?

A MRI clinic in San Juan, Puerto Rico say they don’t accept my insurance plan. In speaking with my provider they tell me they are under contract and are obligated to do so.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 18, 2023

An attorney practicing in Puerto Rico could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. Provide the billing department of the MRI center with the name and contact information for the insurance carrier representative you spoke with and ask them to contact the carrier (unless... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Health Care Law and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Who do I contact if I feel like healthcare care providers are disregarding my medical complaint?

I believe I contracted some type of worm/parasite during a vacation and received a MRI of the abdomen and pelvis in which one radiology tech questioned I might be pregnant because of movement seen during exam and another mentioned movement was seen confirming my suspicions but not reported to CDC.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 17, 2023

If you believe your medical complaints are being disregarded by healthcare providers, your first step should be to seek a second opinion from another medical professional. It's important to have your concerns thoroughly evaluated, especially if you suspect a serious condition like a parasitic... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Health Care Law and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: Who do I contact if I feel like healthcare care providers are disregarding my medical complaint?

I believe I contracted some type of worm/parasite during a vacation and received a MRI of the abdomen and pelvis in which one radiology tech questioned I might be pregnant because of movement seen during exam and another mentioned movement was seen confirming my suspicions but not reported to CDC.

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Nov 22, 2023

As my colleague correctly advised, if you are dissatisfied with the level of care you received, you can reach out to the hospital's patient advocate and lodge a formal complaint. That said, your focus should be on getting appropriate medical care. If you are still experiencing symptoms... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Health Care Law for California on
Q: In a marriage therapy, one partner opted out without notifying the other one

The partner opted out and ended up deserting. However it left the other one in a state of crisis and the mental health they would have relied on was part of the other partners insurance plan so the day before treatment. they received a email notifying services have been canceled indefinitely. That... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 17, 2023

In California, the sudden cancellation of mental health services due to a partner's decision to opt out of therapy and terminate insurance coverage can create a challenging situation. While there isn't a direct legal remedy for the emotional impact of a partner deserting therapy, there... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Wrongful Death and Health Care Law for Indiana on
Q: How is it possible that a longtime diabetes patient have cancer for a year and no one knew even with blood draws?
Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Nov 16, 2023

Blood testing is very specific. Routine blood tests for a diabetic have the primary purpose of determining a blood sugar level. It is entirely reasonable that an entirely unrelated disease like cancer would only be identified in something akin to an annual checkup or in response to specific... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Wrongful Death and Health Care Law for Indiana on
Q: How is it possible that a longtime diabetes patient have cancer for a year and no one knew even with blood draws?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 18, 2023

One possibility is that the medical provider was not screening for cancer. They and the lab that handles their bloodwork have protocols they need to follow - based on the scope of the physician's examination, diagnosis, medical coding, plausible test parameters, and insurance carrier fee... View More

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Q: Can i sue primary health care for misrepresenting me defamation of character amd conflict of interest

I was homeless 2021 2022 and i lived on the streets so i and a girlfriend decided to sign into the homeless outreach program through primary health care tp which we were assigned a case worker by the name of xx now this worker never assited me in any of the services that primary health care offer... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 16, 2023

To consider a lawsuit for defamation of character, misrepresentation, and conflict of interest against Primary Health Care, you'll need to establish specific legal elements. For defamation, you must prove that a false statement was made about you to a third party, causing harm to your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Michigan on
Q: Had a meningioma brain tumor surgery June 13, 2022. The surgery went okay. After care scratched his right eye now blind

My husband had the surgery. Somehow his eye got scratched. Now he can't see anything. Everything is blurry and double vision. We had to go to an eye specialist. They said there was a deep scratch in his eye. They had to sew it half shut because he can't close it all the way. We have to... View More

Dana B. Carron
Dana B. Carron
answered on Nov 15, 2023

You may have a good lawsuit, since the injury was not something that you were at risk to expect from the surgery. You will need to go into more details with an attorney, to allow them to review this matter before reaching a final conclusion to determine whether this matter can move forward and is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for California on
Q: Hello, my name is Anita. Doctor terminated relationship effective on Nov.12,2023. But refuses to see me. Is that legal?

I don't know why she has ended the relationship. I was and still am sick and in pain when I last saw her . Three days later I received a letter of termination. There are more details. Can she do that? I tried to make appts. and they wouldn't let me. I asked for referral 5 days ago her... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 13, 2023

A California attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. As a general rule in most places, physicians are free to terminate relationships, and vice-versa, patients are as well. There are exceptions. A California attorney could advise more definitively after examining... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Health Care Law for California on
Q: Fiance is currently an inmate in LA county jail. He had emergency surgery. He's unable to appear in court because the

doctors have him under a medical hold. he's been court ordered for release.he has no new case, no probation violation. id like to find out if there's any way he can appear in court by video or any other means. he needs to be transferred to a different floor of the hospital for better... View More

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answered on Nov 13, 2023

Under California law, arrangements can be made for an inmate to appear in court via video conferencing, especially in cases where the inmate is medically unable to attend in person. You should file a motion with the court explaining your fiancé's medical condition and the necessity for a... View More

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