Not sure what to do!

[summerset5]

What is the name of your state? Live in IL, happened in FL

My 17 year old daughter went to a clinic and received medical treatment without my consent while we were on a trip in Florida . Clinic was told she was 17 and she showed them her driver's license and they told her to write that she was 18 so that they could treat her. We are now receiving the bills, do i have to pay for them?? Her girl friend was with her and signed as a family friend. We found out about this about 2 months after the incident. What do we do???

 

[rmet4nzkx]

What kind of medical treatment?
Who was responsible for her in your absense?

 

[summerset5]

Don't know what to do, response

I was down there also and didn't know about the treatment, and why does it matter the medical treatment?

 

[purple2]

It makes a difference legally.

 

[panzertanker]

I was down there also and didn't know about the treatment, and why does it matter the medical treatment?

B/C if it was deemed an "emergency" by the ED, then it does not matter if she was 17 or 18. They are obligated to treat her immediately. Also, how can you prove that they knew she was 17?
If you have proof that that is true, her chart has a copy of her drivers license for example, then you may be able to discuss the situation with the billing department of the hospital. Barring that, did she sign and write that she was 18? I do not know the HR part of this question, but it would seem that if she fraudulently stated that she was 18, it is on her/you. I would assume this just as if you told the hospital you were 25 and you were really 45.

If she did, then you owe a hospital bill and she will have to do extra chores for allowance....

 

[wincha]

medical treatment

what state do you live in? do a search on your laws. in missouri i am not responsible for more than $400 of my son who is 17. first of all what was this for? why didn't she come to you? if it was considered an emergency they must provide care for her. i would call the hospital adminstrator and work up from there letting them know she was told to say she was 18 however your daughter could be lying. if it has to do with sexually transmitted diseases they must treat her without your permission.

if she came to you wouldn't you then have gotten her medical care? was the medical care not needed?

 

[purple2]

She said the care occurred in Florida. She also stated it was a clinic, not a hospital.

 

[Some Random Guy]

To the question of "what should we do?", the proper answer would be - talk to your daughter.

Why did she feel it was necessary to not inform you of this medical treatment? Would you not have allowed her to receive necessary medical treatment? Would she have gotten in trouble for the underlying cause? She is going to be 18 soon. Do you plan on having a healthy relationship with your adult daughter or will she continue to hide important things from you because of some fear of retaliation?

In either case, the clinic performed medical services, and are due their money. You are her guardian and are obligated to pay, if that is the issue here.

 

[ablessin]

you are liable financially for your daughter until she is 18 -

I question why she didn't inform you of medical treatment. The facility/clinic was wrong to tell her to lie about her age - IF that is true. I find it hard to believe a health clinic would tell a patient to lie about their age for treatment.

Something sounds fishy - but like it or not, your kid received care and you have to pay for it.

 

[ellencee]

I believe I'd pay the bill and be thankful I wasn't reported for abandoning a minor who had no adult supervision and no one to obtain medical care for the minor in the absence of the parent. I believe the fine can be quite hefty for endangering a minor...and DSS just loves to go after parents who abandon their children so the parents can have a trip without the kid(s).
EC

 

[summerset5]

I didn't abandon her. We were both in Florida on a trip and she went to the hospital/clinic with her friends without my knowledge. I did not authorize any medical treatment for her so how can i be held accountable for it. They treated her without my permission, and her girl friend (who is 19) signed the authorization for medical treatment.

 

[purple2]

Summerset, the story you are being told does not add up. Your daughter told you that she was asked to lie and say she was 18 to consent to her own care. You then said your daughter is claiming her girlfriend signed the consent form. If your daughter's consent was accepted, then the girlfriend would not have been asked to consent. And if the girlfriend is 19, it's doubtful she could have been mistaken for the parent of a 17 year old. Either one of those 2 things may have happened, but not both.

You've been given advice and it sounds like it is hard for you to accept. I do believe, ultimately, the advice given is correct and you are responsible for the bill. You are financially responsible for your minor child's actions even if you don't agree with them. If she threw a baseball through someone's window, obviously you didn't consent to that, but you still must pay for a replacement.

 

[panzertanker]

Summerset, the story you are being told does not add up. Your daughter told you that she was asked to lie and say she was 18 to consent to her own care. You then said your daughter is claiming her girlfriend signed the consent form. If your daughter's consent was accepted, then the girlfriend would not have been asked to consent. And if the girlfriend is 19, it's doubtful she could have been mistaken for the parent of a 17 year old. Either one of those 2 things may have happened, but not both.

You've been given advice and it sounds like it is hard for you to accept. I do believe, ultimately, the advice given is correct and you are responsible for the bill. You are financially responsible for your minor child's actions even if you don't agree with them. If she threw a baseball through someone's window, obviously you didn't consent to that, but you still must pay for a replacement.

OP is upset that she is responsible for a bill she did not consent to, but, her daughter is a minor and therefore OP must pay the bill. The story has never added up, and either OP hasn't told us or daughter is hiding something. Either way, OP you should take my advice and get a copy of her chart and then speak with the Administrator and see if you can get a reduction.

Ultimately, you are going to have to pay.

Enlighten us as to WHY she sought healthcare...?

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Could it have been for birth control or abortion? Is that why you won't say? If that is the case, she can consent as a minor. That is why I asked in the very begining why she sought treatment, if it was for an emergency or reproductive services she can consent, if she is getting her body peirced, no, but you still own the bill.

 

[ablessin]

The reason daughter went to the clinic doesn't matter to us - although it's fairly obvious due to how many people asked her and her skirt around answering and she went to a clinic - so who knows - although my guess is it's something sexual.
Which was WHY she didn't tell mommy. But she failed to realize that eventually mommy was going to find out about the visit and probably was not prepared to answer questions about it.

Fact is - daughter is under 18 and mom is liable for any and all bills her kid incurrs. Fair ? That is debatable...... BUT - that's another time. FOr now, yes mom - call clinic - say, look if I pay today, would you accept $____ as payment in full? Offer them 75% of the total bill and go from there.

I am curious as to WHY (your daughter said) they asked her to lie about her age.... IF their chart says she is over 18 - legally they don't HAVE to tell you squat