A significant number of Americans in Tennessee may face a growing debt burden as a result of medical bills. Even though people often prepare extensively for the medical costs they will have to bear, almost one out of every seven patients received an unexpected bill despite receiving treatment at hospitals considered in-network for their insurance providers. In many cases, even in-network hospitals resulted in at least one out-of-network claim. People who needed anesthesia under surgery often faced these claims; 16.5 percent of all such claims were associated with anesthesiology.
Some employers are helping employees pay off debt
A number of Tennessee residents are battling with debt, whether it be from medical bills, credit card balances or student loans. Understanding the impact that this debt is having on their workers, a number of companies around the United States are offering to help pay off employee debt.
What to know about Chapter 7
Tennessee residents who are considering filing for bankruptcy may have several available options. One possibility is to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is also referred to as a liquidation bankruptcy. In this type of filing, nonexempt assets are sold off with the money used to repay creditors. A key benefit of Chapter 7 protection from creditors is that debts are generally discharged in a matter of months as opposed to a matter of years.
Study finds medical bills significant factor in bankruptcies
Tennessee residents who are struggling to pay their medical bills are not alone. A study that appeared in the American Journal of Public Health found that illnesses and their associated costs contributed to around two-thirds of all bankruptcies.
Discharging student loans in a bankruptcy
With student loan debt increasing throughout the U.S., many college graduates in Tennessee may be tempted to turn to bankruptcy. While students loans were dischargeable in bankruptcy prior to 1976, Congress has amended bankruptcy laws several times. Since 1998, public student loans have not been allowed to be discharged in bankruptcy absent a showing of undue hardship. In 2005, Congress made the same provisions with respect to private student loans.
Getting out from under credit card debt in 2019
Every year, many Tennessee residents find themselves trapped in a financial hole with a load of debt. To make matters worse, this debt keeps accumulating interest every day, meaning that the hole only gets deeper with each passing month. These debtors stand to gain from learning a few tips and tricks that might help them find financial recovery.
Medical bill and bankruptcy
Many people in Tennessee find themselves overwhelmed by debt suddenly after emergency medical care without health insurance. One woman in California drove herself to the emergency room after a car accident to avoid the costs of an ambulance ride but still was billed $20,000 for her trip to the ER. Now she must choose between paying the debt and getting care for her sprained shoulder.
Wait time to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy again
Many consumers in Tennessee who have accumulated debt they cannot pay back choose to file bankruptcy to stop creditors from calling and get a financial fresh start. Debtors can only file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy every eight years.
Financial recovery after bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is commonly considered to be a financial disaster that's very hard to recover from. However, new data from financial experts shows that this may not be the case for all debtors in Tennessee. Nearly half of Americans who file for bankruptcy have their credit scores rise dramatically just a few years after filing. In addition, people who went through bankruptcy and raised their scores found that they could get similar mortgage and car loan rates to regular borrowers.
What to know about Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Individuals and business owners who are looking for a way to handle their debt may wish to file for bankruptcy. Chapter 7 is one of the most common forms of bankruptcy, and it involves liquidating assets and using the funds to pay creditors. Some assets may be exempt from liquidation, which means that a debtor gets to retain those items even after filing. If a business files for Chapter 7 protection, it will no longer remain in operation.
