Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Help

Medical Debt Bankruptcy in Pennsylvania

Reviewed by Sean P. Quinlan, Attorney

Medical debt is unsecured and fully dischargeable in bankruptcy. UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson, Tower Health, Geisinger, and St. Luke's bills are all wiped out by a Chapter 7 discharge.

What you should know

Many Pennsylvania medical-debt clients have been sued by a hospital's collection law firm. The automatic stay stops the lawsuit, vacates any pending garnishment, and converts the judgment into a dischargeable debt in a Chapter 7 case.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions

A doctor or hospital cannot refuse emergency care based on a bankruptcy filing. They may decline to extend further credit for non-emergency care until you set up new payment terms.

Bills incurred after the filing date are not discharged. We time the filing so that ongoing or upcoming necessary care is handled appropriately.

Most Pennsylvania filers keep their home and vehicle. We can elect federal bankruptcy exemptions, which protect a significant amount of home equity plus a vehicle, household goods, retirement accounts, and a wildcard for anything else. We walk through your assets before filing so there are no surprises.

We charge a flat attorney fee that is fully disclosed and agreed to before you engage the firm. Court filing fees and the two required credit-counseling courses are separate. Many clients pay the attorney fee in installments before filing.

Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for up to 10 years; Chapter 13 for up to 7 years. In practice most clients see their FICO score improve within 12–24 months because their debt-to-income ratio drops dramatically and they can demonstrate on-time payments on new credit.

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Pick a time that works for you — Attorney Sean Quinlan offers free phone and video consultations to clients throughout Pennsylvania. No office visit required.

Or request a date and time online — weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

Prefer to call? (717) 724-7503