[ridgeguy]

Because they can. So they do.

And when you don't pay, they sell your debt on to collections. Collections will sue to get a judgement against you, which will allow wage garnishment and other types of confiscation. Finally, say goodbye to your credit rating.

They charge because the power in the hospital/patient relationship is so very asymmetric.

[Chris2048]

> Collections will sue to get a judgement against you

Won't they have to see a judge to get this?

[ridgeguy]

Sorry I didn't see your question until just now.

Generally, yes, they'll have to see a judge. Not always, but usually. However, it's really common for debt collectors to present a judge with a stack of cases for entry of judgement. Can be a few hundred at once, it's a scaled process. So going before a judge isn't really a barrier for debt collectors.

Of course for a debtor, it's a different ideal. May have to take time off work, find child care, etc. Very unbalanced power in the debtor/creditor relationship.