Chargeoff On Medical Bill

[annasky]

I know there are alot of answers on this forum about chargeoffs. But they all had different answers for different cases so I'm sorry if my question seems repetitive.

 

I was at a hospital around August 2001, almost 5 years ago. I never paid for the bill, and it shows up as a chargeoff on my credit report under various collection agencies throughout the years. My question is, how long will it stay on my credit report? Does it start from the date of service or 180 days after the due date from the first bill? Also, the amount is $183, something I can afford right now but not back then, so should I pay it and ask them to delete it off my credit report or wait another 2 years for it disapper? It does disappears right?