Laziness or Child Neglect?

My dh is currently in process of adopting his former sd. (long story) SD lives with us every other week, sometimes for weeks at a time. SD needed medical attention and BM flat out refused to pick her up to take to hospital. Nor would she give us SD's insurance info. Of course, we took her (although I don't believe we even have the legal right to consent to medical care for her) SD is fine now, but we are stuck with ridiculous medical bill now- Bm says it's our problem. Is there anything that can be done?!?

citizen's blog
Log in or register to post comments

Comments

hhhhhhhmmmmmm

No legal or bio child - not legally responsible for the bill. At least that's my take on it. The child needed medical attention and BM refused to provide it so another party took care of her responsiblity. Our BM is pulling this stuff too except child is BF's BS. BM sent FSS1 to us with a ear infection so bad that his ear drum ruptured. BF took him to the ER and we could not locate BM's insurance info. I found it later and called the hospital with it. Two months after the incident BF emailed the bills to BM and asked if a referral was needed for insurance to pay part of the bills and such and BM never replied. Prior to going to the ER BM told BF that the deductable was pretty much taken care of - $500 but the bills BF got were for almost $400 and insurance only paid $12.

I think the court can "force" BM to produce the insurance info.

??

Does the Bm have an employer where she could possibly have ins? You could very well be stuck with the bill if you cant provide the ins information. I dont know how much the bill is but I do know if you call the biller and tell them the story they will frequently reduce the bill 20%.

Sue her

I think it is her legal responsibility to provide for the medical care of your future SD especially since it's not your or your DH's child!. If she "refuses" to provide the insurance information to you when she legitimately needed medical attention, that's just hostility. A court would most likely rule in your favor. Most doctor's offices and hospitals won't file the bill to an insurance compay if it's been longer than 30 days since the treatment/visit.

*~So sayeth Nymh~*

bill

When a person takes themselves or a child to the dr or hospital they have to sign a statement saying they are responsible for all bills. Whoever signed that child in also signed those docs and the hospital is going to hold their feet to the fire.
Billing can take place within one year of the treatment.

That would be me! LOL. I

That would be me! LOL. I figured that much. Sad part is- BM is on welfare. Medicaid for SD, or something along those lines. I suppose I'll just see BM in small claims court (and then of course, DH, SD & I will pay the price for holding her accountable)!

Medicaid?

If SD is on Medicaid then that can be tracked through her social security number. The hospital should be capable of obtaining all of that information with no problems. I would call the billing department at the hospital and let them know she may have medicaid or medical assistance of some type and I bet they will be able to find her and submit the bill.