1 overdue medical -60 points, need advice

[mkp523]

Okay, I recently decided to check my credit score because I am interested in getting a loan to purchase a house. I don't have any credit cards, but I have a checking and savings account for 7 years. I have a good job as well.

 

To my surprise, my Experian credit score was 570! I found out I have one outstanding unpaid medical bill of $1,500 that has lowered my score by 60 points. Slightly less than 2 years ago, I was laid off from my job and lost my medical insurance. I then had tonsillitis for 3 months, where I had one of my tonsils removed. My medical bills were between $12k-$14k and there was no way I could afford to pay. I live in New Jersey and I qualified for a program called Charity Care. Which, to the best of my knowledge, the hospital pays and uses it as a tax write-off. I was told by the hospital that I will receive all the bills in the mail, but to ignore them as they would eventually be taken care of. I got several bills in the mail for months, and even called up after 3 months to make sure they were taking care of it. They reassured me again, so I just ignored them.

 

Now I find out that the $1500 that went to a collection agency is actually the cost of the Anesthesiologist and was not covered by Charity Care! I had no idea this was the case, and was told twice by Charity Care that it would be payed in full. Now my credit score is high risk and I don't know what to do. Its amazing I payed 70% of my medical insurance for years and 2 months after I get laid off, I need surgery. My question is; is there anyway I could dispute this effectively and have it removed? I need to know what my potential options are so I can buy a house. Please help...

 

Thank you

[mkp523]

bump ^ seriously nothing?

[Why Chat]

Okay, I recently decided to check my credit score because I am interested in getting a loan to purchase a house. I don't have any credit cards, but I have a checking and savings account for 7 years. I have a good job as well.

 

To my surprise, my Experian credit score was 570! I found out I have one outstanding unpaid medical bill of $1,500 that has lowered my score by 60 points. Slightly less than 2 years ago, I was laid off from my job and lost my medical insurance. I then had tonsillitis for 3 months, where I had one of my tonsils removed. My medical bills were between $12k-$14k and there was no way I could afford to pay. I live in New Jersey and I qualified for a program called Charity Care. Which, to the best of my knowledge, the hospital pays and uses it as a tax write-off. I was told by the hospital that I will receive all the bills in the mail, but to ignore them as they would eventually be taken care of. I got several bills in the mail for months, and even called up after 3 months to make sure they were taking care of it. They reassured me again, so I just ignored them.

 

Now I find out that the $1500 that went to a collection agency is actually the cost of the Anesthesiologist and was not covered by Charity Care! I had no idea this was the case, and was told twice by Charity Care that it would be payed in full. Now my credit score is high risk and I don't know what to do. Its amazing I payed 70% of my medical insurance for years and 2 months after I get laid off, I need surgery. My question is; is there anyway I could dispute this effectively and have it removed? I need to know what my potential options are so I can buy a house. Please help...

 

Thank you

Please be patient when asking for help on this forum.

 

Is the account ONLY on Experian??

If so, that is good news.

 

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