I only really realized how important paying off my bills was a few months ago... since then I was approved for my first credit card and so far I've been keeping myself up to date on payments. Except a few bills that came to bite me in the bottom today. Two medical offices called to bill me for emergency room visits I completely forgot about. One being $149.00 and the other being $1,005.00. Both go to collections in September, I know for a fact that I can pay off the $149.00 bill before it's sent to collections, but the $1,005 is what I'm worried about. 
I know you never want anything to go to collections, but is it a terrible thing if it does for a few months until I get the money to pay it off in full (i.e. Oct-Dec)? 
Unfortunately setting up a payment plan hasn't exactly gone well... they want $200+ a month and frankly I can't afford that being only a student... Unfortunately I can only afford rent and utilities right now. Any advice?
When you say you spoke with someone about setting up a payment plan was that people from the hospital giving you that amount? That amount seems ridiculous, I was in a similar situation once and I set up a low payment (5K hospital visit after health ins covered) and they told me as long as I sent over $50/mo they would not send it to collections. It's paid now, I paid it after 4 months went by just needed a few months to get the cash together. I would try negotiating with them again.
@Anonymous wrote:It was the billing offices for the hospital yes, she just kept saying "Ma'am we can't wait that long. We can't wait that long." and when I asked if I could make payments she goes "The minimum we can take is four equal payments of $251.25. I was like, "are you kidding me?"
Could it have been the representitive just not wanting to be helpful? Because I'm very worried about this bill...
Could be, never hurts to try and call again. All hospitals WANT to get paid, I would think you can work something out!
My friend was in a very similar situation and her amount was quite a bit higher than yours. They are NOT allowed to deny a payment from you and as long as you are making consistent payments then they're not supposed to be able to turn it over to collections because turning it over to collections is "supposed" to be a result of repeatedly trying to contact you for payment with not success. So in theory if you're making regular monthly or bi-monthly payments then you are making an "effort" to pay the debt and you have an extremely good reason for not being able to PIF right now. This info was given to my friend by an attorney so I know its valid information. No matter what they tell you go ahead and make a payment on it anyway...that way IF they do turn it over to collections you can dispuit it and send copies of your receipts in and they "CRA" will have to take it off your report.
Also considering your a student with no income have you tried getting help with your medical expenses? A lot of states have programs for low income that will pay all or most of your medical bills up to so much a year and a lot of them will even backdate up to 90 days so I would contact my local community office that handles things like that and find out if I qualify for assistance!
I hope this information helps you! Good luck in your journey and be diligent about your credit and finances as it can destroy your future before it even gets started if you're not careful. I had med collections on me when I was younger and never knew anything about credit or payment plans and was really young and stupid and didn't care until I started working, got married, had kids, and needed to buy a home instead of renting. Boy did it hit me all at once how important credit really is! I was 23 when I got married and had my first child and i am getting ready to turn 32 and just this past year getting myself back on track and got everything cleared off all my CR's. I wish you the very best in your journey and hopefully you'll avoid all the hassel of dealing with that
GOOD LUCK!!!
