Let’s do a quick review; most items that appear on your hospital bill first originate as a physician’s order. The computer stores the order and billing is carried out. For supplies the patient is charged by various methods including stickers transfered from the item used to the “charge card”.

It is no surprise in this day and age to read about hospital bills gone awry. Millions upon millions of dollars mistakenly included on a medical bill. That is what Part I will address, human error.

Mistakes happen, that is part of life. And sometimes when we try the hardest we make the most. The same applies to entering orders. A wrong test is ordered, or wrong date or not in proper time sequence. It could happen and it does happen.

I know I have been called by the lab and radiology and even dietary asking about an order in the computer. Just the other day I was called by lab and asked if I wanted the magnesium level drawn now even though one was done earlier in the morning. Since there was no order I said no.

Safety of the patient isn’t compromised purely waiting for an order. So the service is rendered first and then an order is put in, most times the department will remind you to do so. So a stat x-ray can be completed with the promise of an order later.

And when the situation has calmed is an order placed? Well certainly that is the goal to charge for services rendered, but in reality sometimes it is missed.

Other safe guards are in place also, for instance hospitals may require doctors to enter their own orders into the computer. This eliminates several steps and presumably would cut down errors. Nurses routinely do chart checks to make sure the orders are noted and correct.

And remember those stickers and supplies? I can give you a personal example, this happened a few nights ago. I had two sick patients and I was very busy running from room to room giving care. At the end of the shift I had sticker all over my uniform top from the supplies I had used.

When it was time to affix the stickers to the “charge cards” I had to remember which sticker and corresponding supply I used for which patient. I am sure I did just that, but with the acuity of patients nowadays and the hectic work load stickers can be misplaced.

Something simple intended for the comfort of the patient can also lead to errors on billing. Let me give you an example. I have worked in a variety of care setting as I have said. This takes place in a Neonatal ICU. There we would put fleece squares in the bottom of the isolette to prevent skin breakdown.

It just so happened that the fleece square affected the x-rays on some of the babes. In some cases the x-ray appeared more patchy, it had more white space. So unintentionally this comfort measure was actually counter productive. A clever physician figured out the cause and it was quickly remedied.

Billing errors are common on hospital and medical bills. And as I have described above some of these overcharges are the result human error inputing the charges. Part II however deals with a different sort of problem.

Chapter 7 usually discharges more debts than other types of bankruptcy in accordance with chapter 7 bankruptcy laws. That means lots of debts are forgiven when a person files chapter 7 bankruptcy and creditors are forbidden from taking further collection actions against the debtors. However, the chapter 7 bankruptcy laws allow many exceptions.

Compliance is key when filing chapter 7 bankruptcy. A debtor must comply with chapter 7 bankruptcy laws in order to not have his or her case rejected, converted or dismissed. To comply with the chapter 7 laws, a debtor often hires a bankruptcy lawyer to help with filing and interpreting the complicated laws.

When the bankruptcy court deems it fit to issue a debtor with a discharge order, the creditors can file complaints to object to the discharge. If creditors do not object, the bankruptcy court will proceed with the discharge order. Often, debtors only have to wait a few months to receive discharge orders if creditors do not object.

Most chapter 7 filers receive discharge orders granted to them but that there are certain circumstances that the court would not issue a discharge. For example, if the court finds that the debtor is taking advantage of the chapter 7 bankruptcy system or actively and willfully transfer assets out of his or her name prior to filing bankruptcy to deceive the court and creditors, then the court will rule against the debtor.

Not every type of debts can be totally discharged. The chapter 7 bankruptcy laws provide secured creditors the rights to seize the properties even when the discharge has been granted. Unsecured creditors on the other hand do not have any rights after the discharge. If a debtor wishes to keep some assets that were used as collaterals for the debts, he or she may reaffirm the debts in order to keep the properties after bankruptcy.

Unsecured creditors must cease collection attempts after the discharge order has been granted. Creditors whose debts have been discharged cannot continue to harass the debtors and pressure them to pay off the debts. Collection agencies must stop all phone calls, letters and other efforts to contact and take action against the debtor.

On top of secured debts, there are many types of debts that are exempt from the discharge under the chapter 7 bankruptcy laws. Examples of debts that will still need to be paid are alimony, child support, taxes and guaranteed loans. Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws are complicated and it is important to know which debts will be forgiven before filing.

The Real Truth Concerning Bad Credit Debt Consolidation

You’ve in all probability seen the ads for bad credit debt consolidation. Even if you’re in debt up to your ears and haven’t produced a payment in months, these companies claim they can help you consolidate your debt in spite of your bad credit. Subsequently they have worked your magic, you’ll be given with, “Just one painless monthly payment!”

Some companies legitimately want to serve people with bad credit consolidate their debt. They ordinarily charge reasonable upfront fees, avoid establishing exuberant claims, and offer professional references on request. Then there is the another type of bad credit debt consolidation company. This type of company feeds on your fears and appeals to your desire that somewhere out there consists an easy solution. Unfortunately, the latter type of bad credit debt consolidation company is far more frequent than the former.

What Do Debt Consolidation Companies Really Accomplish?

Bad credit debt consolidation companies speak to your creditors and try to lower your interest rates and monthly payments. Once they have made an arrangement with your creditors, they will tell you the total sum you owe for the month. You will then send this money to the debt consolidation company, and the debt consolidation company will distribute the money to your creditors.

At The Least, that’s what they’re supposed to perform. The companies working scams often keep the much of the money you send to them for “administration fees” or “loan origination fees”–even though no loan has been initiated. This means that your creditors, who aren’t obtaining the money you send faithfully, will proceed to harass you and report your account as unpaid to the credit reporting agencies.

Does Legitimate Bad Credit Debt Consolidation Exist?

Yes, but commonly not through companies that send you emails or campaign on late night television. If your credit score is low, you likely won’t qualify for an unsecured loan through a bank. You may, all the same, be conditioned to refinance your house or your car to pay off unsecured debt. Speak to your bank or mortgage broker. You may likewise want to visit with a recognized financial planner to assess your budget and find means to stay out of debt in the future.

Another path to consolidate debt is to transfer all of your unsecured debt to one low interest credit card. This approach, nevertheless, has a few drawbacks. If your credit is sincerely in the toilet, the credit card company might boost up your interest rate without warning. Too, you need to do something with the balance of your credit cards (e.g., cut them up) to fend off the enticement to start new balances on them. Eventually, you must make at least the minimum payment–more if you can afford it–to the card left with the balance of your debts.

Even if you experience bad credit, debt consolidation is attainable, just make sure you’re working with a good company that in truth does want to assist you get out from under your debt.

The first thing you need to do if you are under a mountain of debt and are not able to make timely payments that do more than cover interest is cut up all your credit cards. Do not take on more debt until the debt you have is paid. Address what you can fix on your own and then look for help. Debt consolidation may be the answer you need for getting out from under high interest and multiple bills.

Be cautious when choosing debt consolidation. There are a variety of ways to consolidate debt so be sure to choose the one that suits your needs. If you are a homeowner and have enough equity in your home to cover your debts, look into a home equity loan that has a lower interest rate than what you are currently paying.

If you do not have home equity, some debt consolidation companies may still be able to help you. Find a service that offers to talk to your creditors about lowering interest rates and settling some debt with less than you do owe. They will then combine the rest of your debt and charge you one payment a month with an additional fee for their service. Sometimes they do this through an unsecured loan. Other times, they take your one payment and pay each of your creditors for you.

Don’t pick a debt consolidation company too quickly. Look into the backgrounds of several of them by checking with consumer agencies such as the Better Business Bureau and by talking to people who have used the companies you are considering. When you find one that looks reputable, call them and ask for details on how they work and exactly what they charge. A company that offers debt counseling is your best option. These services are invaluable when it comes to getting out of debt fast and staying out from under debt for the rest of your life.

The last alternative to mounding debt is bankruptcy. Because of what this does to your credit report, you should exhaust every other option before going that route. If you cannot do it on your own, an honest debt consolidation firm may be able to help you avoid the consequences of bankruptcy.