380,000 people in Washington State have medical debt. Bills from places like Swedish Edmonds, UW Medicine Primary Care, Virginia Mason, EvergreenHealth, or even local dental and urgent care clinics can stack up fast. In fact, medical debt has become such a financial hardship that Washington State lawmakers are moving to keep medical debt off credit reports.
Whether your medical debt came from surgery, an ER visit, or months of follow-up appointments, you're not stuck. Our Lynnwood bankruptcy attorneys can help you explore legal solutions under Washington State law. Call our law offices today to schedule a free consultation. Let's talk through what's possible and how we can help you breathe again financially.
Is There A Legal Way To Get Out Of Medical Debt In Lynnwood?There are several legal, proven ways to get relief from medical bills, especially if you're dealing with collections or threats of lawsuits. If you live in Lynnwood and you're overwhelmed by hospital bills from Swedish Edmonds, Virginia Mason, or other local providers, you're not alone, and you do have options:
Further, if a creditor is suing you for medical bills in Snohomish County District Court, our Lynnwood medical debt attorneys can defend the case, dispute inflated balances, and stop judgments.
How Does Medical Bankruptcy Stop Medical Bills?Medical bankruptcy, typically a Chapter 7 case, is one of the most effective ways to wipe out overwhelming hospital or doctor bills. The moment you file, the court puts an automatic stay in place (under 11 U.S.C. § 362), which immediately stops all collection efforts, lawsuits, garnishments, and even harassing phone calls. That means peace of mind starts immediately.
Medical debt is "unsecured,” meaning the debt does not have any collateral like property. Under Chapter 7, the courts typically discharge unsecured debts entirely without repayment. If your income is too high for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 can still provide significant relief by allowing you to repay what you can afford over several years, often for pennies on the dollar. Either way, you get control back, and we're here to help you make it happen in Lynnwood.
Answers To Your FAQs About Medical Debt ReliefA: If you don't pay your medical bills, the hospital or clinic will likely send you multiple notices, then send the debt to collections. Once it's in collections, the medical provider or the collection agency can sue you in Snohomish County District Court. If the creditor wins, they can garnish your wages, place a lien on your Lynnwood property, or freeze your bank account. Washington doesn't treat medical debt differently from other debt, and unpaid bills can also damage your credit. Bankruptcy may be an option if the medical debt is more than you can realistically pay.
A: No, Lynnwood law enforcement will not arrest you for unpaid medical bills because medical debt is a civil matter, not criminal. However, if a creditor sues you and you ignore the court summons or fail to respond, the court could issue a warrant, but only because you didn't show up, not because of the debt itself. Always respond to court paperwork, even if you can't pay. We can help you deal with the lawsuit, stop collection actions, and explore whether bankruptcy might be the right route to protect you.
A: With all the billing complexity, insurance companies often do not cover medical care that is within the policy. If you need to verify your insurance company was supposed to pay for your medical treatment, start by requesting a detailed explanation of benefits (EOB) from your health insurance company. The EOB shows what they covered and what they didn't. If something looks off, contact your insurer's customer service and ask for a review. If that doesn't resolve it, the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner can help you file a complaint or appeal.
A: Yes, unfortunately, creditors can take you to collections even if you're sending in regular payments (RCW 19.16.250). Washington State law does not legally require the provider to accept them without a written agreement (RCW 19.16.100). If they decide your payments are too low or inconsistent, they can still send your account to collections.
A: Yes, but there are some protections in place. The major credit bureaus no longer report paid medical collections on your credit (15 U.S.C. § 1681c). Also, unpaid medical debt under $500 won't show up. However, it can hurt your credit score if your balance is over $500 and stays unpaid for more than a year. Bankruptcy can stop collection efforts and remove qualifying medical debt from your credit over time (11 U.S.C. §§ 523).
Medical debt does not have to control your life. Whether you had top-tier care from hospitals like Swedish Edmonds or UW urgent care visits, you can get relief from your debt. Call our Snohomish County office today for a free consultation, and let us help you find the right solution to get back on track.