Dead Husband's Massive Medical Bill? No, the Spouse Isn't Always on the Hook!

A call from a debt collector may add to the challenges that bereaved people are already dealing with. The thought of paying off a deceased partner’s medical bills can be devastating for surviving spouses who may already be struggling to cope with their loss. It is often assumed that the deceased’s spouse will be responsible for paying off any remaining medical expenses.

However, according to an expert, surviving spouses should not assume that they have to pay their deceased partner’s medical bills. The responsibility of paying medical bills rests on the estate of the deceased. If the deceased has no assets or estate, the medical bill is considered bad debt, which the healthcare provider or healthcare facility cannot collect.

Laws regarding responsibility for medical bills also vary by state, which may affect what medical bills are payable from the assets of the deceased. Many states do not hold the surviving spouse liable for their deceased partner’s medical expenses.

This situation was seen when someone whose husband passed away was shocked to receive calls from a debt collection agency about medical bills left unsettled. But an advocate for patients helped to navigate the medical billing complexity.

Anyone in this situation should immediately seek help from a trusted financial advisor and patient advocate to understand what has to be done and who needs to be informed to stop further harassment. Often, people find themselves vulnerable to unfair harassment from debt collector agencies.

Many states do not hold partners or immediate family members accountable for paying an individual’s debts when that person dies. However, this isn’t universally true; the rules apply differently from one state to the next.