The Legal Pad

New Publication from The Missouri Bar

Thousands of Missourians are struggling to pay mounting medical bills -- but do you really owe what the hospital says?

Attorney Larry Ferguson, Columbia, MO tells this story: With the birth of one of their children, his wife noticed that the hospital billed her $700.00 for anesthesia and a procedure called an episiotomy. She didn't have an episiotomy. When she called the hospital, their response was, "Oh. Well, most women do, but you didn't have one?" When she told them she hadn't had the procedure, the hospital took the charges off the bill.

The lesson here? Mr. Ferguson suggests it's a good idea to go through the medical bills to see whether there are items you were charged for but didn't receive. It happens frequently. There are a number of side issues that go into a hospital facility billing that can have the potential for errors -- and usually the errors are in favor of the institution. If there are things on the bill that aren't true or accurate, they'll readily remove them.

What if you realize you can't afford to pay your hospital bill? There are many people who don't have health insurance and who don't qualify for a government program. The hospital provided the services to you and the hospital will look to you to pay the bill.

Do you have any options? Yes, you do.

You can read Mr. Ferguson's complete interview entitled, "How to Cope with Medical Bills" in The Missouri Bar Money Guide -- now in printed form -- for more information.

Out of work? We have an article about how to deal with creditors.

Having trouble making your house payments? Perhaps an article that describes the steps you can take to avoid foreclosure may be of help to you.

Thinking of declaring bankruptcy? We have a section in The Money Guide that explains the differences between Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 bankruptcies.

Do you know about the new credit card rules? We have information about the new rules in our publication too.

If you'd like a copy of The Missouri Bar Money Guide, send a quick email to: [email protected] or to [email protected] with your request. Put the words "Money Guide" in the subject line, give us your mailing address and we'll be glad to send one to you.

The Missouri Bar Money Guide is also available online. Here's the link: The Missouri Bar Money Guide

 

 

Don't Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Whoo hoo! It's January! Time to roll out those resolutions. Out with the old -- in with the new. You have a fresh start -- a clean slate! What else? It's time for flu season!

Hear that coughing in your office? Hear the sneezing? Those are the clues. Let's run down the drill: If you didn't get a flu shot, there's still time for you to get one. Flu can be spread by droplets when others cough or sneeze. You can also pick up the flu from objects in the office that have been handled by others who are sick. Get out the disinfectant disposable wipes and swipe your phone, door handles, counters, copy machines, etc. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Be courteous toward others. Stay at home if you're sick. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use tissues. Throw tissues in the trash after you use them. Wash your hands. Use soap and water. Good. You're covered, right? Maybe.

Here's something you may not know -- the money you're carrying around is probably contaminated. What? Ugh. You've got to be kidding. Nope. I'm not kidding.

Here are the facts according to CreditNet:

42% of bills have Staphylococcus aureus on them -- a nasty staph infection-causing bacterium

7% of all bills have E Coli bacteria on them

Rhinovirus is commonly found on currency and responsible for 1/3 of all common colds

BPA - this chemical carcinogen is found on over half of all notes. Bisphenol A is a hormone disrupting chemical

30% of US currency is contaminated with fecal bacteria

92% of all notes have traces of cocaine on them

Whoa. Those are some very interesting statistics, aren't they?

This morning I went to my local gas station and filled up my car. I walked in to find the gas station owner sneezing. He didn't cover his mouth. He just sneezed -- big time -- twice. I said, "God bless you." He said, "Thank you." I gave him my money and he gave me change. As I walked out and got into my car -- my paranoia kicked in. My thought was that I'll probably wind up getting the crud. The crud from his big sneezes was on his hands and now -- it's on the bills I just put in my wallet. Great.

So, can you catch the flu from money? Here's what the folks at Smart Money have to say about that: It doesn't get talked about much, but the fact is paper currency -- the dollars, fives, tens and twenties most people routinely touch every day -- can spread a virus from one person to another.

Need more? According to the Consumer Report Money Blog, paper currency has been deemed a good candidate for spreading swine flu.

Some of the articles I've read suggested you could use credit cards instead of money. Uh huh. Could it be that those articles are connected to the folks who would benefit from that? A conspiracy? I don't know.

Is there anything besides using credit cards that might help you to avoid catching something from the filthy money? Get all wound up with paranoia? Nah. Best advice out there? Pretty simple. Don't worry about it. If you do, you'll make yourself crazy. Frequent hand-washing with soap and water is still the best way to prevent infections and disease.

Time to buy some more soap. Time to wash my hands.