Collection Account that doesn't belong to me... Help!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi!

So I need some assistance in what my next step is regarding a medical collection account. I disputed the account with all CB's, two came back as reaffirming the debt, TU still shows as a dispute. I contacted Children's Hospital this morning because as far as I could remember, I was never the listed guarantor for my children as my ex-husband was the insured and I was a stay-at-home mom. So a few things...

• The amount shown is $587
• According to the hospital, the balance they have is $429.44 ($266.73 9/15/09 and $162.71 11/9/09)
• Hospital billing called Receivable Recovery and they confirmed my ex is listed as the guarantor
• The CA shows the balance as $429

I asked why I would be listed as responsible and the hospital rep said she asked the CA the same thing - the woman said at times, in community property states, both parents can be held responsible. I wasn't working. I wasn't the insured. I wasn't the guarantor. NO OTHER PLACE HAS EVER DONE THIS TO ME.

More importantly, why does it show $587 when both the hospital and the CA show $429?!?

What do I do? ... PLEASE HELP!

Equifax

Transunion

Experian

COLLECTION AGENCY 495YC00000 Receiv Recov Receivable Recovery Se

ORIGINAL LENDER - Med1 02 Children S Hospital Children S Hospital

ORIGINAL BALANCE $587 $587 $587

CURRENT BALANCE $587 $587 $587

STATUS Unpaid Collection account Account seriously past due date/account assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's public collection department

DATE ASSIGNED Aug 24, 2012 Aug 24, 2012 Aug 24, 2012

ACCOUNT NUMBER XXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

ACCOUNT HOLDER Individual Individual Individual

DESCRIPTION Medical

Account information disputed by consumer

-

-

Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

I would gather much evidence possible and dispute with all three credit bureaus. It's not yours if your name is not on the accounts. I recommend disputing through mail and not online.

Someone else can chime in.

[RobertEG]

What doesnt make sense is how the hospital would assign collection authority to the debt collector if they question your responsibility.

The debt collector did not just find the OC account and debt on their doorstep.........

[Anonymous]

How it works for us is this way...if my wife the son to the hospital, her signature for treatment sends a bill in her name for him. If I take him then a bill comes in my name.

For my daughters. If I take them the bill comes in my name, if my ex wife takes them. It comes in my name too because I'm the domicile parent. Custody was awarded to me. Therefore I'm responsible and the courts have already assigned a percentage of child support that's factored in for medical expenses. Which would cover those bills. In our case is 80/20. She pays the lessor.

[Anonymous]

Also I will add. I must save those and submit those to the court. Example. If I received a bill for 1000, they would make her pay an additional 200. 

[RonM21]

These examples are of those things I've never thought about when it comes to how bills are split between parents. Seems like that can get kind of chaotic if you aren't on top of it all.

OP, I hope you get this figured out in a way that satisfies you.

[Anonymous]

RM21. it can get confusing. Some people go into divorce and don't think of the little things or may not even know what they mean. I make sure ever doctor bill comes to me, I also get a detailed statement from my insurance provider that lets me know what's been covered, my portion I owe to the provider.
When that's paid I mark it, date, payment type, 2 copies made. 2 goes in the file cabinet. 1 to my ex wife to collect the 20%. If she won't pay. I send the 3rd copy to the friend of the court and they just tack it on to her child support.

I would think in this circumstance OP you may be able to get the OC to recall the debt and explain the situation. or maybe the CA will be willing to do a PFD under the circumstances.
I'd defiantly get a system down. Kids are expensive as their growing up medically.

[RobertEG]

Apparently, the hospital has either assigned or sold the debt to the debt collector.

Which is it?

If the OC still owns the debt, I would approach from the point of view that there is no basis for assignment of a collection in your name.

The hospital apparently concurs, so getting them to terminate the collection assignment would be my path of least resistance.