If you filed MFJ, then you were included as a spouse (not as a dependent). I say that because it was not clear to me that this is what you meant.
So, you still owe this bill? That is not a tax issue.
But if you (or your husband, either one) pay this bill, then you may want to add the expense to your 2025 tax return (i.e. what you will do in early 2026). Note that deductible medical expenses have to be greater than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, so it might not make any difference to your 2025 return anyway.
The offset would happen only if the debt was reported by the hospital district to the Treasury Department under its Offset Program. It could happen, or you might get ahead of that by paying the debt first. If you pay the collections agency, be sure to keep good records, because if the Treasury Dept. (which includes the IRS) makes an offset on your refund, you will need solid proof as to why no offset should have been made.
NOTE: this is not an issue of affecting your husband in isolation - the two of you are a unit, filing MFJ, even if you are a SAHM making no income. You are doing an important job, and you should say, "we" and "our" when it comes to taxes.
**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"
