how to approach this medical bill in collections?

[remethy]

I have a slightly unusual situation involving a medical bill in collections.  A few years ago I received care at a hospital facility.  I was uninsured and the cost of my care was paid for up front, directly to the hospital, by a generous family member.  Now, in looking at my credit report, I find a collection item for $880 related to this hospital stay.  My position is that I don't owe this money because 1) all costs were paid in full when care was given and I was not told of any other fees or costs and 2) the financial arrangement was between the hospital and my family member, not between the hospital and myself. 

What is the best way to go about this?  Do I ask the collection agency for validation of the debt?  Or do I dispute it to the credit bureaus?  Or both? 

[starry1]

DV the collection agency and also call the hospital to see what happened that there was an outstanding balance.

[guiness56]

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@remethy wrote:

I have a slightly unusual situation involving a medical bill in collections.  A few years ago I received care at a hospital facility.  I was uninsured and the cost of my care was paid for up front, directly to the hospital, by a generous family member.  Now, in looking at my credit report, I find a collection item for $880 related to this hospital stay.  My position is that I don't owe this money because 1) all costs were paid in full when care was given and I was not told of any other fees or costs and 2) the financial arrangement was between the hospital and my family member, not between the hospital and myself. 

What is the best way to go about this?  Do I ask the collection agency for validation of the debt?  Or do I dispute it to the credit bureaus?  Or both? 

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If you signed yourself into the hospital and are 18 or over, you become the responsible party, no matter who pays the bills.

It is very possible that it is a bill that was not directly billed by the hospital.  Physicans normally have their own billing department.

I do agree to contact the hospital and see what you can find out. 

[remethy]

I will call the hospital and try to figure out what happened.  Considering they wouldn't even take me without payment up front, and then more bills were paid as we went along, I just don't understand how other charges can pop up later.

so no point in disputing it then? : ( 

[guiness56]

There are so many different areas that are charged when you go to the hospital it would be easy for somethng to have been missed. 

[Shogun]

+1

So many different departments charge seperately.  You have the hospital bill, the doctor bill, lab, x-ray, etc.  It is quite easy for one to slip by.

[remethy]

I looked again and found good news - according to my experian report, the item is due to drop off in Feb 2014.  That will be the end of it, right?

[guiness56]

Just because they are excluded from your CR due to age, the debt will exist forever, until paid.  The CA or creditor can attempt to collect forever.  Once your states SOL for suing is over, they can't sue but, again, can attempt to collect forever.

[Shogun]

Just an FYI, once a debt goes past the CRTP and SOL, it often winds up with bottom feeders.  

[gummiebear]

I know how it is.  You get all these little bills from everywhere.  (Maybe not so little sometimes).  I would call and talk to them and see if you can get the amount you have to pay lowered.  My spouse went to a hospital that was out of his insurance's network but he didn't know. They charged so much!  He was able to get it lowered and eventually paid it off.  If they have put it on your credit reports ask them if they will delete it.