Who Pays for Unpaid Hospital and Medical Bills? An Easy-to-Understand Guide to the Rules Heirs Should Know
After a family member passes away, you may receive a call from the hospital saying, "The hospital bill has not been paid yet."
"Since it's the deceased's debt, do I not have to pay it?"
"Do all heirs have to pay it?"
"What happens if I renounce my inheritance?"
Many people have these kinds of questions.
In conclusion, unpaid hospital and medical bills of the deceased are considered "liabilities (debts)" and are subject to inheritance.
However, who pays and how they pay depends on the inheritance situation.
In this article, we will explain the obligation to pay hospital and medical bills and its relationship to inheritance in a way that is easy for beginners to understand.
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Unpaid Hospital and Medical Bills Are Inherited
The cost of medical services received by the deceased during their lifetime becomes a debt if it has not been paid at the time of death.
For example:
* Hospitalization fees
* Surgery fees
* Consultation fees
* Examination fees
* Medication costs
* Difference in bed charges
* Rehabilitation costs
These are all subject to inheritance.
In other words, the basic rule of inheritance applies: you inherit not only assets but also debts.
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Who pays?
In principle, the heirs are the ones who pay.
For example, the spouse, children, parents, siblings, etc., who are the statutory heirs at that time, bear the obligation to pay.
Hospitals often request payment from a representative, but legally, all heirs are responsible for the burden according to their inheritance share.
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What if the hospital only requests payment from the eldest son?
In reality, requests may come to the eldest son because he is the "chief mourner" or "the hospital guarantor."
However, unless he is a guarantor, the eldest son is not solely responsible for the burden.
If the eldest son pays it once, he can request that other heirs bear their share according to their inheritance proportion.
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Be careful if you are a guarantor
There are cases where you sign as a guarantor upon hospitalization.
What is important here is that if you have signed as a guarantor, you may have an obligation to pay separate from the inheritance.
In other words, "paying because you are an heir" and "paying because you are a guarantor" are two different things.
Since the scope of responsibility varies depending on the content of the guarantee contract, check the contract document.
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Do I have to pay if I renounce my inheritance?
Once the renunciation of inheritance is accepted by the family court, in principle, you no longer have the obligation to pay unpaid medical expenses.
In other words, you do not inherit hospital bills, medical expenses, debts, or loans.
However, if you perform acts such as freely paying with inherited assets or disposing of assets before renouncing the inheritance, it may be judged that you have accepted the inheritance.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you consult a professional instead of paying on your own.
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Can I pay from the deceased's savings?
There are cases where payment is made from the deceased's savings, such as when there is an agreement among all heirs.
Also, even before the bank's inheritance procedures, you may be able to use the "provisional payment system for savings" if certain conditions are met.
However, caution is required if you are considering renouncing the inheritance.
Using the deceased's savings freely may affect the renunciation of inheritance, so handle it carefully.
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Difference from funeral expenses
Funeral expenses are often confused with this.
Medical expenses: Debt incurred before death -> Debt paid from inherited assets.
Funeral expenses: Expenses incurred after death -> Often paid by the chief mourner, etc., and the legal treatment is different from medical expenses.
Even though they are both "money paid after death," their legal nature is completely different.
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There may also be refunds for high-cost medical expenses
If the deceased had paid high medical expenses, you may be able to receive a refund through the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit system.
Also, there are cases where medical insurance benefits or hospitalization benefits are paid.
Even if there are unpaid medical expenses, using these systems can sometimes lighten the actual burden.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens if I don't pay the medical expenses?
The hospital can request payment from the heirs. If left unattended, it may proceed to reminders or legal procedures.
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Q. Is it over if one person pays?
Payment to the hospital can be made by one person. However, you may be able to request that other heirs bear their share.
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Q. What if there are few inherited assets?
If there are more debts, you may consider renouncing the inheritance or limited approval. Consult a professional early.
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Summary
Unpaid hospital and medical bills are inherited as the deceased's debts.
It is important to check the overall inheritance situation before paying in a hurry.
Key points of this article:
* Unpaid medical expenses are subject to inheritance
* In principle, heirs pay
* Guarantors may bear separate responsibilities
* Renouncing inheritance generally eliminates the obligation to pay
* Careful judgment is required when using the deceased's savings
* High-cost medical expenses and insurance money may reduce the burden
In inheritance, if you judge only by looking at medical expenses, it can lead to major trouble later.
It is important to proceed with appropriate procedures after confirming the overall picture, including assets, debts, insurance, and taxes.
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