cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

medical collection effect on score

tag
Anonymous
Not applicable

medical collection effect on score

I had a $25 medical collection that is 1 year old. The collection agency would not PFD. I paid it in full 1 month ago and sent a GW letter that was ignored. It did update on my credit report to "current closed". My Experian and equifax FAKO scores jumped significantly. My question is if I can expect the same result on my FICO score when I apply for a mortgage this week?

Are medical accounts that go into collections scored differently than a credit card or loan that had late payments? I ask this because I used the FICO score estimator and one of the questions asked if I had any late payments on any credit cards or loans. This question has a significant impact on my FICO score. Can I answer no to this question with the medical collection on my CR?
Message 1 of 11
10 REPLIES 10
llecs
Moderator Emeritus

Re: medical collection effect on score


@Anonymous wrote:
I had a $25 medical collection that is 1 year old. The collection agency would not PFD. I paid it in full 1 month ago and sent a GW letter that was ignored. It did update on my credit report to "current closed". My Experian and equifax FAKO scores jumped significantly. My question is if I can expect the same result on my FICO score when I apply for a mortgage this week?

Are medical accounts that go into collections scored differently than a credit card or loan that had late payments? I ask this because I used the FICO score estimator and one of the questions asked if I had any late payments on any credit cards or loans. This question has a significant impact on my FICO score. Can I answer no to this question with the medical collection on my CR?

FICO wouldn't move on the zeroed-out balance CA alone.

 

Are you using a FICO score estimator that's available to you after pulling a FICO report?

Message 2 of 11
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: medical collection effect on score

I used the FICO score estimator (Powered by MyFICO) on Bankrate.com

 

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/credit-score-fico-calculator.aspx

Message 3 of 11
pizzadude
Credit Mentor

Re: medical collection effect on score

 


@Anonymous wrote:
I had a $25 medical collection that is 1 year old. The collection agency would not PFD. I paid it in full 1 month ago and sent a GW letter that was ignored. It did update on my credit report to "current closed". My Experian and equifax FAKO scores jumped significantly. My question is if I can expect the same result on my FICO score when I apply for a mortgage this week?

Are medical accounts that go into collections scored differently than a credit card or loan that had late payments? I ask this because I used the FICO score estimator and one of the questions asked if I had any late payments on any credit cards or loans. This question has a significant impact on my FICO score. Can I answer no to this question with the medical collection on my CR?

Unfortunately there isn't any correlation from FAKO scores to FICO scores, sometimes they move in opposite directions.   The only way you would get a FICO score boost would be if the collection is removed from your credit reports.

 

However the newest FICO score model ( FICO08 ) ignores nusiance collections under $100, so it wouldn't be scored in the FICO08 model.    We can't purchase this score model though, and it isn't in widespread use by creditors yet.

March2010 FICO® ~ 695 TU, 653 EQ, 697 EX
Message 4 of 11
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: medical collection effect on score

I just ordered my Equifax FICO score; it did not improve like my FAKO score did, meaning my middle score is probably in the 620's (how disappointing). My TU FICO 3 weeks ago was 670 (the CA never reported to TU). Ahh well, I guess it's round 2 of GW letters...
Message 5 of 11
pizzadude
Credit Mentor

Re: medical collection effect on score

Yeah I know it's disappointing that you don't get FICO® points for paying a collection...... Keep the GW letters going and hopefully they'll delete it...
March2010 FICO® ~ 695 TU, 653 EQ, 697 EX
Message 6 of 11
hippychic823
Regular Contributor

Re: medical collection effect on score

I feel your pain jmcmanna!!! I have 3 medical collections (all below $200) that I PIF thinking they would delete them from my CR....they're still on there reporting as "Closed. Paid in full" But I want them GONE Smiley Happy I'm gonna GW the heck outta the CA until they either delete the collections or get a restraining order against me Smiley Wink (joking!!!!)
Message 7 of 11
Duncanrr
Valued Contributor

Re: medical collection effect on score


@Anonymous wrote:

I used the FICO score estimator (Powered by MyFICO) on Bankrate.com

 

http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/credit-score-fico-calculator.aspx



Was curious and used the Estimator.  It gave me range of 635 to 685 which is pretty much spot on.



Starting Score: EQ 551 TU 548 CK 607on 6/8/12, EX 542(AMEX pull 3/4/12)
Current Score: EQ 808 TU --- EX --- CK 804(FAKO-EX 821, EQ 823, TU 803)
Goal Score: 750

Take the FICO Fitness Challenge
Message 8 of 11
wreith
Frequent Contributor

Re: medical collection effect on score


Unfortunately there isn't any correlation from FAKO scores to FICO scores, sometimes they move in opposite directions.   The only way you would get a FICO score boost would be if the collection is removed from your credit reports.

 

However the newest FICO score model ( FICO08 ) ignores nusiance collections under $100, so it wouldn't be scored in the FICO08 model.    We can't purchase this score model though, and it isn't in widespread use by creditors yet.


So if I just paid a CA for a medical bill that was $75, it really doesn't have any effect on my FICO score cause it's a "nuisance collection"?  I am planning on Goodwilling them to death on it as soon as I can get the contact info I need for proper routing.

01/06/2015 Walmart TU 726
01/06/2015MyFico EQ 705
01/10/2014 USAA FAKO EX 728, EQ 728, TU 728
Discover It $1700, USAA Cash Rewards AMEX $11K, USAA Rewards Platinum MC $12K, CareCredit $13.2K, Chase Freedom $5000, Walmart $4500, Lowes $9800, QVC $1200, HSN $2350, Macys Red Star Store $2900, Paypal smart connect $4022, VS Angelcard $1200, Amazon Store $2500, BCE $4K, Sam's Club Discover $8500, Home Depot $7200, FNBO AMEX $7800
Message 9 of 11
pizzadude
Credit Mentor

Re: medical collection effect on score


@wreith wrote:

Unfortunately there isn't any correlation from FAKO scores to FICO scores, sometimes they move in opposite directions.   The only way you would get a FICO score boost would be if the collection is removed from your credit reports.

 

However the newest FICO score model ( FICO08 ) ignores nuisance collections under $100, so it wouldn't be scored in the FICO08 model.    We can't purchase this score model though, and it isn't in widespread use by creditors yet.


So if I just paid a CA for a medical bill that was $75, it really doesn't have any effect on my FICO score cause it's a "nuisance collection"?  I am planning on Goodwilling them to death on it as soon as I can get the contact info I need for proper routing.


Only the most recent FICO 08 version.   Any other FICO version ( 98, 04 ) will ding your score for the collection, either as unpaid or paid.

March2010 FICO® ~ 695 TU, 653 EQ, 697 EX
Message 10 of 11
Advertiser Disclosure: The offers that appear on this site are from third party advertisers from whom FICO receives compensation.