As a health insurance member, am I liable for unpaid medical bills for a 23 year old dependant on my insurance?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
As a health insurance member, am I liable for unpaid medical bills for a 23 year old dependant on my insurance?
My 23 year old son went to rehab and he is a dependant on my insurance. I did not request treatment for him and I did not sign any paperwork for him. So can they legally bill me and hold me liable for the unpaid bills of my 23 year old dependant because I am the member? I do not believe that in my insurance policy it is stated
that the member would be liable for the unpaid medical bills of a dependent on their insurance but am not 100% sure.
Asked on February 19, 2019 under Insurance Law, Washington
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
No you are not. Since your son is legally an adult, therefore he is responsible for his own debts and obligations. Your even as his parents, are not liable for his medical bills except and only to the extent that you co-signed for, guaranteed or otherwise agreed to pay them.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
No, so long as your son, who is an adult by age, is not considered legally incompent and you are not his legal guardian or conservator, he, not you, is responsible for any unpaid portion (unpaid by insurance, that is) portion of his medical bills, unless you guaranteed payment of them. Each adult is responsible for his/her own bills, even when on someone else's policy.
IF the insurer accidently paid out when they should not, the insurer could look to recover the money from you, since you are the policy holder and are in a contract with the insurer. But you are not in a contract with the rehab center, so they have no grounds to hold you personally liable for any amounts not paid them.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.