Author Topic: MD bill from debt collector (Read 5248 times)

noturbizniss · « **on:** April 20, 2013, 09:14:31 PM »

We got a letter from a debt collector about an unpaid bill for an MD that my wife has not seen in over 10 months. In that time we also had them mail us her medical records, and they not once mentioned a balance due, nor have we relieved any bills from them in that time. I am not so concerned with the bill, however I don't want my credit screwed up. The letter said i have 30 days to contact the agency (an attorney) to dispute the debt or they will assume it's valid. If I contact them they will: "obtain verification of the debt or obtain a copy of a judgement and mail me a copy of judgement".
Do I call the debt collector first or the MD office to pay it? Either way i'm gonna give them hell for not billing me, but my primary concern is getting this paid and not having it on her credit. Am i safe to assume that the letter itself does not mean it is in collections, and I will only have hurt credit if I don't respond/pay within 30 days?

Shreknit · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2013, 10:40:00 PM »

Had same thing last year paid it and was also pissed but never showed up on any credit report.

cozmohoot · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2013, 10:46:11 PM »

I had similar where hospital never sent a bill. They don't touch your credit if you are willing to work out any deal. A plus side for me was that I took off over 40 percent of the bill since the collection lawyer wants to get paid quickly and they make a commission.
Also make sure to ask ur insurance company if it's a valid charge.

Yordai Dooma · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2013, 10:54:48 PM »

once it's sent to collection the provider gets a percentage regardless of whether you pay them or the agency.

noturbizniss · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2013, 11:16:26 PM »

So do I call the Dr office and offer to pay them or the collector first?
Not a big bill only 158

Yordai Dooma · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2013, 02:53:14 AM »

Quote from: noturbizniss on April 20, 2013, 11:16:26 PM

So do I call the Dr office and offer to pay them or the collector first?
Not a big bill only 158

Shouldn't make a difference. Although i would recommend paying the Dr directly and asking them to remove you from collections. They may tell you that you have to pay the agency once they turned it over.

noturbizniss · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2013, 11:22:52 AM »

Update - Called Dr billing office, paid the bill. Turns out they were sending the bills to the wrong apartment (even though a bill for an earlier date of service went to the right apt). Called Collector (who said dr should not have taken the money) who said all is good. only gets reported on credit if I dispute the bill or go to litigation.

Thanks for your help guys.

Shreknit · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2013, 11:49:52 AM »

Good to hear.

Yordai Dooma · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2013, 06:44:20 PM »

Quote from: noturbizniss on April 22, 2013, 11:22:52 AM

only gets reported on credit if I dispute the bill or go to litigation.

That would be their own personal policy (or likely the choice made by the dr office). Each collection agency and each dr will have different criteria as to when it gets reported to the credit agencies.

Joe4007 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2016, 07:41:43 PM »

I got a letter from a collection agency and the bill is addressed to Baby Boy XXX. Is there any way this can land on my CR if I ignore it?

Chapshnell · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2016, 07:45:28 PM »

Quote from: Joe4007 on January 02, 2016, 07:41:43 PM

I got a letter from a collection agency and the bill is addressed to Baby Boy XXX. Is there any way this can land on my CR if I ignore it?

always remember one rule about this, if they dont have your ssn they will eventually stop bothering you.

Joe4007 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2016, 07:47:31 PM »

Quote from: Chapshnell on January 02, 2016, 07:45:28 PM

always remember one rule about this, if they dont have your ssn they will eventually stop bothering you.

I'm not sure that's correct. Can't they go by address?

Chapshnell · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2016, 07:50:12 PM »

Quote from: Joe4007 on January 02, 2016, 07:47:31 PM

I'm not sure that's correct. Can't they go by address?

ive been through this in the past, so IME No.

PillanSmye · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2016, 10:05:59 PM »

Quote from: Joe4007 on January 02, 2016, 07:41:43 PM

I got a letter from a collection agency and the bill is addressed to Baby Boy XXX. Is there any way this can land on my CR if I ignore it?

Yes

Chapshnell · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2016, 10:06:59 PM »

Quote from: PillanSmye on January 02, 2016, 10:05:59 PM

Yes

have you experienced such a thing? because I personally had such a story & a friend of mine as well & no issue. I am not sure how they can do something credit report wise without you giving them your social & signing financial responsibility forms

PillanSmye · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2016, 10:08:24 PM »

Quote from: Chapshnell on January 02, 2016, 07:50:12 PM

ive been through this in the past, so IME No.

of course they can ding you without your SSN. YOU can fight it through verification/validation, but it's always better to win a fight before it even starts.

Chapshnell · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2016, 10:09:10 PM »

Quote from: PillanSmye on January 02, 2016, 10:08:24 PM

of course they can ding you without your SSN. YOU can fight it through verification/validation, but it's always better to win a fight before it even starts.

have you personally ever had such a story & it hit your CR?

Joe4007 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2016, 10:13:01 PM »

Quote from: PillanSmye on January 02, 2016, 10:08:24 PM

of course they can ding you without your SSN. YOU can fight it through verification/validation, but it's always better to win a fight before it even starts.

So on whose CR will it land? Baby Boy isn't really a name.

PillanSmye · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2016, 10:17:42 PM »

I spent a lot of time on Creditboards when I was first rebuilding. I've never had to deal with collection agencies and junk debt buyers, but the horror stories are out there Debt collectors are scumbags. Playing ostrich with debt collectors is just going to screw you.

Chapshnell · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2016, 11:02:47 PM »

Quote from: PillanSmye on January 02, 2016, 10:17:42 PM

I spent a lot of time on Creditboards when I was first rebuilding. I've never had to deal with collection agencies and junk debt buyers, but the horror stories are out there Debt collectors are scumbags. Playing ostrich with debt collectors is just going to screw you.

I am curious though, do you have a link or something from someone whos ssn was NOT linked/they had it & got hurt?