Who Is Responsible for a Minor’s Medical Bills? A Guide for EMS and Private Practice Providers

Understanding who is legally responsible for a child’s medical bills is critical for providers like EMS services and private medical practices. Whether you’re treating a child after an emergency or seeing a minor for routine care, knowing the rules around billing and collections helps ensure compliance and protects your bottom line.

So, who is responsible for paying when a minor receives medical treatment—and what happens if the bill goes unpaid?

Minors Cannot Be Held Financially Liable

Here’s the key legal principle: Minors cannot legally enter into binding financial contracts, which means they cannot be held responsible for their own medical debt. If a child under 18 receives care, the financial responsibility falls on their parent or legal guardian.

What If the Parents Are Divorced or Separated?

When parents are divorced, determining which parent is financially responsible can get tricky. Typically:

• The parent with court-ordered responsibility for medical expenses is liable.
• If one parent carries health insurance, that parent is often expected to cover the bill.
• In some cases, both parents may share responsibility based on a divorce agreement or court order.

As a provider, you are not expected to enforce custody agreements—but having accurate intake information and insurance verification is key to billing the correct responsible party.

What Happens If the Bill Goes Unpaid?

If a medical bill for a minor goes unpaid, some providers wonder if they can collect once the patient turns 18. The answer is no—you cannot transfer medical debt to the child once they reach adulthood. Since the minor was never legally responsible in the first place, they cannot be held accountable later.

This is an important point to understand for both billing departments and collections partners.

Best Practices for EMS and Private Practices

To avoid confusion and maintain compliance:

Always verify the responsible party during intake or after an EMS run. Get complete parent/guardian information when treating minors.
Include insurance verification for the parent or guardian—not the minor.
Work with a collection partner who understands these legal nuances and follows all FDCPA regulations.
Do not send bills to patients who were minors at the time of service, even if they are now over 18.

In Summary

• Minors are not legally responsible for medical bills.
• Parents or legal guardians are the responsible parties.
• Debt cannot be transferred to the child once they become an adult.
• Following proper intake and billing procedures helps ensure compliance and improves your chances of recovery.

Need help collecting unpaid balances while staying compliant? FFR, Inc. specializes in third-party collections for EMS providers and private medical practices. Our compassionate and compliant approach protects your patients—and your reputation.