Expert: Kathleen Eads - 4/27/2006

Question
Hello,
I am writing in regards to medical bills that were charged to me for my daughter over the course of several years starting in 2003.  My daughter lives with her grandmother (we are in court now seeking full custody).  It is a long story.  I have carried medical insurance on my daughter for her entire 9 years and always paid the medical bills (including ones the grandmother caused by taking her out of network).  Recently I have received calls and a letter from a collection agency showing several medical bills I had no knowledge of.  My question is this - am I legally responsibile for bills that I did not sign for?  She used my name and address for the responsible party and did not use my insurance card and now I am expected to pay for them.  Also, does the mother have any responsibility for paying on the medical bills?  Neither of us or the grandmother technically have legal custody of my daughter at this time.  We have just cordially let her live with the grandmother because she wants to and both of us spend time with her at our residences.  I know it may sound strange (again a long story).  What can I do at this point?  I live in Virginia. Thank you for your time.

Answer
Who had legal custody of her when the bills were incurred?  I'm no medical insurance specialist, but whoever had custody of her (legal custody) would be her guardian, and would probably be (according to the courts)the responsible party for the bills.

I don't know that your mother could be held responsible, as the patient is your child.  I'm assuming your child received care, regardless of who took her in or what information was given.  Did you have insurance on her at the time of service?  If they had your insurance information, did they bill the insurance company?

From all that I can tell, you would be responsible for the bills, regardless of the living arrangements at the time.  

Kathleen Crabtree