Possibly stupid question about filling out forms at doctor's office

[Unas]

Here's what's funny - at our family doctor's office and 1 of the specialist's office, I can write any name I care to write on the line addressing who is financially responsible for our son's medical care. I can write myself, my husband, Bozo the Clown, Walt Disney. It doesn't matter because there's a 2nd separate sheet to sign addressing who is financially responsible.

That 2nd sheet states (paraphrasing) that I am aware of the new Indiana law regarding financial responsibility. The new law (per the sheet) states that the person who actually signs the child in is fully responsible for the medical bill, after insurance if applicable. The household dynamic (married parents, divorced parents, step-parent, grandparents, parents who were never married, etc) is of no concern, Orders of the Court are of no concern and who carries the insurance is of no concern.

My son sees another specialist and they don't have me sign anything like that nor does our dentist. Those bills all come in my husband's name because the policy at both is that the person carrying the insurance gets the bill.

Is that really the law in IN? Must case havoc with guardians or those with POA in situations where a parent is still in the picture and is financially responsible for a minor.

 

[Unas]

I manage the registrations at a large community hospital. The person who brings in minor child is responsible for the bill. If there is an agreement between the parents that one of them will pay.....it doesn't matter to us. The guarantor is the one who brought them in. We will send that parent the bill and they can work it out themselves.

If anyone besides the legal parent or legal guardian brings the child in....we are obligated to call the parent and whomever gives permission is made the guarantor.

What do you do with coaches or teachers that have a limited POA to consent to medical treatment for an injury? Do you withhold treatment until you can get in contact with the parent?

 

[momz]

I don't understand your confusion . I am saying that we are probably both 50% responsible, which adds up to 100% . I have never had an office tell me that because I was signing the forms that that made me responsible (as obvious as that may seem). I've always written dh's name there on the form and nobody said a thing to me.

If you present your child to an orthodontist for care, the orthodontist will bill you 100% of the cost. If you feel the child's father is responsible for half of it, then it is up to you to negotiate that with the father. The orthodontist is not going to bill you for only 50% simply because you say that is all you feel obligated to pay. The orthodontist is not going to fight that battle for you.

Also, it may be fraudulent to sign another persons name on those forms. I'm wondering why you would be doing that.

 

[Belle0101]

Is that really the law in IN? Must case havoc with guardians or those with POA in situations where a parent is still in the picture and is financially responsible for a minor.

I don't know if it really is the law. The 2 offices, of the 4 we go to, say it is but don't provide any information to be able to look it up online.

 

[msjprincess]

I manage the registrations at a large community hospital. The person who brings in minor child is responsible for the bill. If there is an agreement between the parents that one of them will pay.....it doesn't matter to us. The guarantor is the one who brought them in. We will send that parent the bill and they can work it out themselves.

If anyone besides the legal parent or legal guardian brings the child in....we are obligated to call the parent and whomever gives permission is made the guarantor.

What happens if you can't reach the parent on the phone?

 

[DopeyDame]

I'm suspect if you hadn't specifically asked the question they would have let you just sign the forms and be on your way, and you would have been responsible for the money. But since you specifically told them you didn't want to be responsible, of course they wouldn't let you sign saying that you are.