Can a dental office charge finance charges on an outstanding bill if there is no contract stating the agreement?

Question

Can a dental office charge finance charges on an outstanding bill if there is no contract stating the agreement?

Anonymous Jul 23, 2011 3 views 1 answers

Balance on the account and I deducted the finance charges starting about 3 months ago and they cashed the check with the balance written less the finance charges. Just this month they called to say I needed to pay in full they could not accept the payment because the balance written was not correct. I then ask for the agreement and that I'm sure we could find a soluntion. Now they have turned it over to a lawyer. Who mailed me the paper work and it does not say any thing about finance charges just if it's turned to collections I would have to pay all attorney fees etc....now they have deducted some of the finance charges and have added the attorney's fees plus 30 %. Is this legal. Should I contact an attorney?

Pamela KoslynBusiness AttorneyLos Angeles, CA · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T10:35:19+00:00

Are you sure there's no contract? All doctors and dentist's offices require you to sign a contract before they'll accept you as a patient and treat you, which usually provides for your agreement to pay them whether or not you've got insurance, whether your insurance coverage actually covers the charges, whether the prevailing party in any dispute is entitled to their legal fees, etc. etc. Their invoies may also contain these terms about payment, interest oin overdue balances, legal fees, etc.

Can a dental office charge finance charges on an outstanding bill if there is no contract stating the agreement?

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