Can Medical Debt on My Credit Report Be Used to Deny Employment?

The information in your credit report can indicate financial responsibility and personal integrity. A credit report shows your payment history and reveals any judgments against you. In a competitive job market, it isn't uncommon for employers to run a credit check as part of the application process. Employers don't usually base their decision entirely on your credit report, but the information can be a determining factor. Despite the misconceptions, medical debt does count against you. Medical debt on your credit report could be grounds to deny employment.

Medical debt on your credit report appears the same as any other debt. If the debt was charged off by the original creditor and sold to a third-party collection agency, it could have a significant impact on your score. Negative entries lower your score and raise red flags with employers, regardless of the circumstances or the nature of the debt. Employers don't always bother digging deep enough to differentiate the medical debt from any other type.

Your credit report doesn't tell employers whether or not to hire you. The information revealed in your credit report is available to help employers evaluate the risk associated with hiring. Medical debt doesn't always ruin your chances of employment. Experian even urges employers to give applicants the opportunity to explain such blemishes. When evaluating candidates, the employer may be more inclined to overlook an outstanding medical bill than a past-due credit card balance.