Home News Leg 2

5 Critical Consequences: What Happens If You Don't Pay Trajector Medical's VA Disability Fee?

• minute read
Contents

The decision to withhold payment from a medical consulting firm like Trajector Medical, which specializes in assisting veterans with VA disability claims, is not one to be taken lightly. As of late , the landscape surrounding these third-party companies remains highly contentious, with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issuing public warnings and legislative efforts underway to regulate their fee structures. Failing to pay the contracted fee, which is typically a large lump sum calculated as a multiple of your monthly benefit increase, can trigger a series of significant financial and legal consequences that veterans must fully understand.

Trajector Medical operates on a contingency-fee model, meaning you only pay if your VA rating increases. However, once that increase is secured, the contractual obligation to pay their fee—often equivalent to five or six times your new monthly benefit—becomes immediate. Ignoring this debt can lead to escalating charges, aggressive collection efforts, and potential legal action, complicating your financial stability even after achieving a successful disability claim.

The Founders and Company Behind Trajector Medical

To understand the billing practices, it is crucial to know the entity you are contracting with. Trajector Medical, which was previously known as Vet Comp and Pen Medical Consulting LLC, has established itself as a major player in the veteran disability benefits space. The company is based in Gainesville, Florida, and focuses on helping veterans gather the necessary medical evidence to support their claims for increased compensation.

  • Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder: Jim Hill. Hill is a key figure in the company, often speaking about its mission to serve veterans.
  • Key Medical Personnel: Gina Uribe, an experienced nurse practitioner, is another prominent figure, having worked for many years as a compensation and pension disability medical examiner with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
  • Core Service: The company primarily provides medical consulting services, including obtaining private medical reports—known as Independent Medical Opinions (IMOs)—to supplement a veteran’s VA disability claim.
  • Legal Status: It is important to note that Trajector Medical, like many similar firms, is not VA-accredited to represent veterans in the claims process, which is a central point of the ongoing legal and ethical debate.

5 Serious Consequences of Non-Payment to Trajector Medical

The moment you sign a contract with Trajector Medical, you are entering a legally binding agreement. Failure to adhere to the terms of the fee agreement after a successful increase in your VA disability rating will initiate a collection process that can have severe financial repercussions. Here are the five most critical consequences:

1. Immediate and Escalating Service Charges

The first and most direct consequence of non-payment is the accumulation of additional fees. According to reports, if the contracted fee is not paid within a specified timeframe, often 90 days, Trajector Medical begins adding a monthly service charge to the outstanding balance.

  • The 90-Day Mark: This is a common trigger point where the debt begins to grow beyond the initial agreed-upon amount.
  • Increased Debt Load: These monthly service charges gradually increase the total outstanding balance, making the debt significantly harder to pay off over time.
  • Contractual Obligation: The exact terms regarding late fees, interest rates, and service charges are detailed in the original Trajector Medical contract, which veterans are strongly advised to review before signing.

2. Referral to Third-Party Collections Agencies

If the internal billing department is unable to secure payment, the debt will likely be escalated to a third-party collections agency. This is a standard practice for managing delinquent accounts.

The collections process involves:

  • Aggressive Communication: You may receive frequent calls, letters, and emails from the collections agency seeking payment. Some veterans have reported this as "harassment".
  • Credit Reporting Risk: While some online forums suggest that companies like Trajector Medical, due to their non-accredited status, do not report to the major credit reporting agencies, this is a risky assumption. The policy regarding credit bureau reporting can change, and a debt sold to a third-party collector may be reported, severely damaging your credit score and financial future. It is crucial to operate under the assumption that any debt could impact your credit.
  • Legal Precedent: The collections process is governed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), but simply not paying a legitimate contractual debt leaves you vulnerable to these actions.

3. Potential for Civil Litigation and Lawsuits

For large outstanding balances, Trajector Medical may choose to pursue civil litigation to recoup the debt. This is the most serious financial and legal repercussion.

  • Court Summons: The company could file a lawsuit against you in civil court for breach of contract.
  • Judgment Against You: If a court rules in their favor, a judgment could be placed against you. This judgment can lead to wage garnishment (depending on state law and the source of your income), bank account levies, or liens on property.
  • Increased Costs: If you lose, you may be responsible not only for the original fee and late charges but also for the company's legal fees and court costs, significantly increasing the total amount owed.

4. The VA's Stance and the Controversy Over Fees

The non-payment issue is complicated by the ongoing controversy surrounding these companies. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has actively warned veterans about firms that charge high, unregulated fees for claims assistance.

  • VA Warning Letters: The VA has sent official warning letters to Trajector Medical (and its predecessor Vet Comp and Pen) and other similar organizations.
  • Unregulated Fees: Because these companies are not VA-accredited, they are not subject to the same fee caps that accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) or attorneys must follow. This is why their fee structure is often a much larger lump sum (e.g., 5-6 months of increased benefits).
  • New VA Resources: As of August 2024, the VA established a website and call center to help protect veterans from fraud and predatory practices, signaling an increased regulatory focus on this sector.

While the VA is concerned about the high fees, they generally cannot intervene in a private contract dispute between a veteran and a non-accredited company. The debt remains a private contractual obligation.

5. Ethical and Contractual Disputes

A significant number of veterans who choose not to pay often do so because they feel the billing is "unethical and deceptive" or that the company did not perform the services as promised.

  • BBB Complaints: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has numerous complaints alleging that Trajector Medical attempts to collect payment for services that veterans claim were not performed or were misleading.
  • Disputing the Bill: If you genuinely believe the fee is unwarranted or the contract was breached by the company, your best course of action is not to simply ignore the bill. Instead, you should formally dispute the charges in writing, citing specific clauses of the contract and details of the service failure.
  • Seeking Legal Counsel: Consulting with a private attorney who specializes in contract law and veterans' affairs is the safest way to navigate a complex dispute with a large company.

Alternative Actions to Consider Before Non-Payment

Simply refusing to pay is the riskiest option. If you are struggling to afford the lump sum fee, consider these alternatives to avoid the consequences of collections and litigation:

  1. Negotiate a Payment Plan: Contact Trajector Medical's billing department immediately to discuss a monthly installment plan. Most companies prefer to receive payment over time rather than incur the cost and uncertainty of a lawsuit.
  2. Request a Fee Reduction (The 'Hardship' Appeal): If you are facing extreme financial hardship, you can formally request a reduction in the total fee. While they are not obligated to accept, a well-documented hardship case can sometimes lead to a settlement.
  3. Seek VA-Accredited Advice: Consult with a VA-accredited attorney or a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) from organizations like the DAV, VFW, or American Legion. They can provide free, unbiased advice on your specific contractual situation and the current legal landscape regarding veterans benefits debt.
  4. Review the Contract for Loopholes: An attorney can review your original Trajector Medical contract to see if there are any clauses that were violated by the company, which could invalidate the debt.
5 Critical Consequences: What Happens If You Don't Pay Trajector Medical's VA Disability Fee?
what happens if i don't pay trajector medical
what happens if i don't pay trajector medical

Detail Author:

  • Name : Weldon Bartoletti
  • Username : wdubuque
  • Email : mschinner@hodkiewicz.com
  • Birthdate : 1970-04-22
  • Address : 718 Leannon Square Suite 763 Port Cathy, CA 51237-4839
  • Phone : +1-925-316-8438
  • Company : Wintheiser LLC
  • Job : Supervisor Correctional Officer
  • Bio : Ut unde possimus ea saepe. Eum soluta in nulla ea. Delectus nulla corporis est.

Socials

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/nkeebler
  • username : nkeebler
  • bio : Aut ut minima quo qui numquam cumque. Beatae itaque delectus nobis sapiente culpa.
  • followers : 6371
  • following : 1758

tiktok:

Random Posts