Is Your Adult Child’s Unpaid Medical Debt Your Responsibility?

As a parent, it is natural to worry about your child’s well-being. If your adult child is struggling with mental health issues and refuses to seek healthcare, you may wonder if you could be held liable for their medical expenses.

This is a complex legal issue that depends on several factors, including the age of your child, their income, and whether they have any health insurance. In general, however, parents are not legally responsible for the debts of their adult children.

What Are My Options?

If your adult child is uninsured and cannot afford to pay for medical care, there are several options available to them:

Medicaid is a government program that provides health insurance to low-income individuals and families.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers health insurance subsidies to low- and moderate-income individuals and families.
There are also many non-profit organizations that provide financial assistance for healthcare costs.

What Is the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive healthcare reform law that was enacted in 2010. The ACA has made health insurance more affordable and accessible for millions of Americans.

Key Provisions of the ACA

Some of the key provisions of the ACA include:

Expanding Medicaid eligibility to low-income adults
Providing subsidies to help low- and moderate-income individuals and families purchase health insurance
Establishing a health insurance marketplace where individuals and families can shop for plans
Requiring all Americans to have health insurance

How the ACA Can Help

The ACA can help your adult child get the health insurance they need. If your child is uninsured, they may be eligible for Medicaid or for subsidies to help them purchase a health insurance plan through the health insurance marketplace.

How to Get Help

If you are concerned about your adult child’s health insurance coverage, there are several resources available to you:

You can call the Health Insurance Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596.
You can visit the Health Insurance Marketplace website at HealthCare.gov.
You can contact a licensed health insurance agent for help in finding a plan.

Remember

It is important to remember that you are not legally responsible for the debts of your adult child. However, you can help them get the health insurance they need by providing them with information about the ACA and other available resources.

If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, please seek professional help. There are many resources available to help people with mental health issues, and you are not alone.