Ex Refuses To Pay Half Medical Bills

May 31, 2024

By David Kolata

Katie was riding her bike when she fell off and broke her leg. You took her to the emergency room. She needed to see a specialist for a cast. You had to pay for crutches, pain medication, and physical therapy. Fortunately, she was covered by your insurance, but you still have hundreds of dollars in bills.

Your California child support order requires your ex-husband to pay half of Katie’s medical expenses. You’ve sent him copies of the bills, but it’s been months, and you have not been reimbursed. What can you do?

If your ex-spouse won’t pay his share of your child’s medical expenses, your best option is to request reimbursement through family court.

Pay Your Bill Online

If the Court Order requires your x-husband to pay 1/2 of various expenses, and he is not doing so, you have two choices: (1.) or (2.) File a motion for entry of judgment and garnish his wages.

Tips for Dealing with an Ex Who Will Not Pay Uninsured Medical Expenseswww.vandtlaw.com › BLOG

https://www.vandtlaw.com/tips-dealing-ex-will-not-pay-uninsured-medical-expenses/

If the Court Order requires your x-husband to pay 1/2 of various expenses, and he is not doing so, you have two choices: (1.) or (2.) File a motion for entry of judgment and garnish his wages.

To avoid having your request for reimbursement denied follow these guidelines:

When possible, use doctors and dentists who accept your insurance plan. If you must go out-of-network, be prepared to justify that decision.
Chiropractic services may not be covered. You should be prepared to pay the entire bill unless your ex specifically agrees in writing to pay half of all chiropractic expenses.
Discuss all long-term, non-emergency services such as counseling or braces with your ex-spouse.

Our Marin County child support attorneys are here to help you with your child support concerns. To schedule an appointment, contact The Law Offices of Paul H. Nathan at 415-341-1144.

You will need to prove the following for child medical expense reimbursement:

The medical or dental services were provided after the Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage was entered.
Your child was eligible to receive child support at the time that the medical expenses were incurred.
You paid the bill.
You submitted the bill to all applicable insurance companies.
The insurance company paid their share of the bill.
You requested reimbursement from your ex-spouse.
Your ex has not paid you.

Make sure that you keep copies of all medical bills and receipts, as well as any communications, denials, or explanations of benefits from the insurance company. Keep careful track of the expenses you paid and any payments from your ex-spouse. When requesting reimbursement from your ex-spouse, make the request in writing. Keep a copy, and send the request by certified mail. Send bills as you get them. Saving them up can put an unfair burden on the other parent.

There are some cases in which the court may reject your request.

FAQ

Am I responsible for my ex husband’s medical bills?

Even after separation, you can be taken to court and held responsible for your spouse’s debt. In most states, you are liable for your spouse’s medical bills even if it is only their name appearing on the record. Lastly, you can be sued for a debt if you are a cosigner in all states.

Is the non-custodial parent responsible for medical bills in Texas?

The parent ordered to pay child support (the “obligor”) usually also provides medical and dental support. Each parent usually has to pay 50% of uninsured or out-of-pocket medical expenses. The obligor only has to pay for the “reasonable cost” of insurance coverage.

Is a wife responsible for husband’s medical bills?

In community property states, spouses are generally held responsible for each other’s debts, even if they did not incur the debts themselves. However, community property laws vary from one community property state to another, so you should speak to an attorney to determine responsibility for medical bills.

Is the policy holder responsible for medical bills?

The short answer is, it depends. If you caused the accident, your health insurance or auto insurance will typically pay your own medical bills. If you were not at fault for the accident, the other driver’s insurance company is typically responsible for your medical bills.

How do you deal with an ex who pays uninsured medical expenses?

Couples are usually required to split the cost of any bills not paid by a health insurance carrier. The following are some tips for dealing with an ex who resfses to pay uninsured medical expenses. It is not unusual for a former spouse or partner to need time to pay his or her half of uninsured medical expenses.

How long does a ex need to pay uninsured medical expenses?

It is not unusual for a former spouse or partner to need time to pay his or her half of uninsured medical expenses. Your support agreement may give your ex a specific time frame (30 days, 60 days, etc.) to pay his or her half of the expenses or reimburse you for payments already made.

Can I refuse to pay a child’s healthcare expense?

Pay your share of the expense within 30 days. It is fine if you want to speak to the child’s healthcare provider to ask questions or clarify, but DO NOT refuse to pay an expense because you do not believe it exists. If you have questions, contact your child’s care provider.

What happens if I don’t pay my child’s medical expenses?

Failure to pay your child’s medical expenses could damage your credit while making it more difficult to obtain treatment in the future. The child support attorneys at Vayman & Teitelbaum understand how important it is to obtain the payments to which your child is entitled.

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Tips for Dealing with an Ex Who Will Not Pay Uninsured Medical Expenses