Author Topic: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score  (Read 7099 times)

Offline metsgiantsfan

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Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« on: March 13, 2019, 06:45:15 PM »
I feel like I totally got taken for a ride recently. I needed to get  scoped for acid reflux and the dr did this (6 minute) "procedure" off site. Of course no one tells me anything regarding bills accept they are in network. Weeks later I get an EOB that the Dr was paid, the anesthesiologist, but the facility the procedure was done in, did not (due to a deductible). They sent me a bill for $1,000.  I would never have authorized to do the test off site if I would have been aware of this, and if it was done in a hospital setting, where many dr's are affiliated with, I believe it wouldnt have cost extra. I explained to them my frustration and offered to pay a reduce amount, but they wouldnt budge. They said I can only can negotiate once its in collections and next month it will be sent there if i dont pay.  I always have been under the opinion that unpaid medical bills do not go on ones credit score. is this true or not?  thank you!

Offline as2

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2019, 07:28:28 PM »
I feel like I totally got taken for a ride recently. I needed to get  scoped for acid reflux and the dr did this (6 minute) "procedure" off site. Of course no one tells me anything regarding bills accept they are in network. Weeks later I get an EOB that the Dr was paid, the anesthesiologist, but the facility the procedure was done in, did not (due to a deductible). They sent me a bill for $1,000.  I would never have authorized to do the test off site if I would have been aware of this, and if it was done in a hospital setting, where many dr's are affiliated with, I believe it wouldnt have cost extra. I explained to them my frustration and offered to pay a reduce amount, but they wouldnt budge. They said I can only can negotiate once its in collections and next month it will be sent there if i dont pay.  I always have been under the opinion that unpaid medical bills do not go on ones credit score. is this true or not?  thank you!
First hand experience, medical bills can hurt your credit.
Memories last forever, make them while you can.

Offline beeweegee

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2019, 07:47:19 PM »
First hand experience, medical bills can hurt your credit.
Not firsthand, but +1

Offline Shmuel4

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2019, 08:01:59 PM »
I see on FB that there is a way to remove them (HIPAA to have them on there).

I don't know more about it but look into that...

Offline metsgiantsfan

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2019, 09:24:28 PM »
Not firsthand, but +1

Does it hit credit report once collections takes it over? and if you come to a settlement w collections agency does it disappear from credit report?

Offline Luvisrael

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2019, 10:40:20 PM »
I see on FB that there is a way to remove them (HIPAA to have them on there).

I don't know more about it but look into that...
they need to have verified proof of ur debt which is impossible because of Hippa so it must be removed...

Offline as2

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2019, 10:43:48 PM »
they need to have verified proof of ur debt which is impossible because of Hippa so it must be removed...
Can you elaborate on how to have them remove it? Just dispute it?
Memories last forever, make them while you can.

Online yitzgar

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2019, 11:04:36 PM »
Can you elaborate on how to have them remove it? Just dispute it?
You can settle with collection agency. But NEVER give them money without written guarantee that they will remove it from you report as though it had never been there. Don't listen if they say they'll write it off as paid or settled

Offline 4yourinfo

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2019, 11:47:16 PM »
I feel like I totally got taken for a ride recently. I needed to get  scoped for acid reflux and the dr did this (6 minute) "procedure" off site. Of course no one tells me anything regarding bills accept they are in network. Weeks later I get an EOB that the Dr was paid, the anesthesiologist, but the facility the procedure was done in, did not (due to a deductible). They sent me a bill for $1,000.  I would never have authorized to do the test off site if I would have been aware of this, and if it was done in a hospital setting, where many dr's are affiliated with, I believe it wouldnt have cost extra. I explained to them my frustration and offered to pay a reduce amount, but they wouldnt budge. They said I can only can negotiate once its in collections and next month it will be sent there if i dont pay.  I always have been under the opinion that unpaid medical bills do not go on ones credit score. is this true or not?  thank you!
Did you try talking with your insurance? If you put up a big enough fight you may get them to cover... (Slight chance)

Offline ludmila

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2019, 03:24:59 AM »
Dispute it once it goes to collection, most of the time the collection agencies can't provide a proof for the service or bills, if they can't provide the proof to the CB it is removed. I once had a bill that I was not aware off that was not covered fully by insurance, went to collection and reported on my CR, I called all 3 CB and said I never received a bill and I have no idea what is this for, the collection agency could not provide any proof, and it was removed .
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Offline metsgiantsfan

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2019, 10:21:46 AM »
Dispute it once it goes to collection, most of the time the collection agencies can't provide a proof for the service or bills, if they can't provide the proof to the CB it is removed. I once had a bill that I was not aware off that was not covered fully by insurance, went to collection and reported on my CR, I called all 3 CB and said I never received a bill and I have no idea what is this for, the collection agency could not provide any proof, and it was removed .
very interesting

Offline as2

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2019, 10:42:12 AM »
Dispute it once it goes to collection, most of the time the collection agencies can't provide a proof for the service or bills, if they can't provide the proof to the CB it is removed. I once had a bill that I was not aware off that was not covered fully by insurance, went to collection and reported on my CR, I called all 3 CB and said I never received a bill and I have no idea what is this for, the collection agency could not provide any proof, and it was removed .
So, my case is a bit different. Insurance just randomly decided to stop paying out, and not a single rep was able to determine why, but resubmitted the claim. Eventually the facility got sick of it and sent it to collections. I don't mind telling the CBs to prove it, but don't want it to come back to bite me if they can. I guess worst case, we're back to square 1.
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Offline DealKiller

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2019, 02:00:47 PM »
they need to have verified proof of ur debt which is impossible because of Hippa so it must be removed...
Not sure where you are getting your info from but they can verify the debt without violating any HIPPA laws.

Offline Naftuli19

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2019, 02:16:33 PM »
First hand experience, medical bills can hurt your credit.
i think they only report after 180 days,
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Offline Luvisrael

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #14 on: March 14, 2019, 02:43:43 PM »
Not sure where you are getting your info from but they can verify the debt without violating any HIPPA laws.
i haven’t researched this well, I was just elaborating a bit on what I’ve heard... u may be right

Offline googwallet

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #15 on: March 17, 2019, 09:08:14 PM »
Dispute it once it goes to collection, most of the time the collection agencies can't provide a proof for the service or bills, if they can't provide the proof to the CB it is removed. I once had a bill that I was not aware off that was not covered fully by insurance, went to collection and reported on my CR, I called all 3 CB and said I never received a bill and I have no idea what is this for, the collection agency could not provide any proof, and it was removed .
I'm glad this was your experience but by no means will it work for everyone.

Offline ludmila

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2019, 07:17:50 PM »
I'm glad this was your experience but by no means will it work for everyone.
Agreed, but in my case it was true that I never received this bill, it was a very small bill and was still reported, and the collection agency was not able to provide any proof or details.
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2019, 08:09:23 PM »
Agreed, but in my case it was true that I never received this bill, it was a very small bill and was still reported, and the collection agency was not able to provide any proof or details.
Or found it more costly to pursue than to abandon. Which is something one needs to always keep in mind when trying to settle debt. The creditor is likely to settle (or abandon) when they realize that pursuing is more costly than what they might recover.
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Offline as2

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #18 on: March 18, 2019, 09:16:55 PM »
Does the bill disappear at some point? If so, when?
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: Does not paying a dr/lab bill hurt credit score
« Reply #19 on: March 18, 2019, 09:21:13 PM »
Does the bill disappear at some point? If so, when?
Check your state specific statute of limitations on debt collection.
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