Need some help with a medical bill (in collection possibly)

[Just*Breathe]

I say possibly in my subject for a reason. I'm not well versed in debt lingo so will you please be gentle with me? Back in early 2012, my son and husband had serious surgeries, back to back. One in February, the other in March. It was just an awful time. Our insurance (BCBS) paid a good chunk but there was still about $3500 remaining with the hospital. I made faithful but small payments to them. They wanted me to pay much more than I could afford on their payment plan but I told them it wasn't possible but I would keep paying what we could afford. Fast forward to this January, I called in to make a monthly payment. They told me they couldn't accept it because it was sent to collection and I should be hearing from the collection agency soon. I was really upset. I thought my payment (about $50-$75) each month showed good faith. I guess not.

Well, I still haven't heard from the collection agency four months later. The hospital originally gave me the name and phone number and told me I should call them and "work something out". I still have it but have not called.

 

Advice? We do owe the money. It's just a lot more than I can afford right now (about $2500 remaining). Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

[Clydesmom]

Call the patient services representative at the hospital and ask them to intervene. Speaking to a CSR drone won't help they are powerless. A patient rep is usually able to work miracles but they are going to have to involve the manager or more likely a director to get this back in house where you can keep making your payments.

[Why Chat]

You may or may not hear from the CA. The hospital collected the full amount it would have been entitled to and turned the "balance" over to a CA who may have decided to not try to collect themselves on the account but resold the account to another CA.

 

Check your EOMBs ( explanation of medical benefits) from your family's surgeries. Look for "patient responsibility". This may be a lot less than what you believed you owed.

 

In the meantime, follow these steps:

 

http://www.whychat.5u.com/GUIDEBOOK.html

 

Opting out will help prevent your data from being sold to data miners. Getting ALL your credit reports is particularly important especially for your husband AND your son, who may or may not have a credit report of his own.

 

You do not need to delete old addresses if you are in the same home you were in when the surgery took place.

[Just*Breathe]

Call the patient services representative at the hospital and ask them to intervene. Speaking to a CSR drone won't help they are powerless. A patient rep is usually able to work miracles but they are going to have to involve the manager or more likely a director to get this back in house where you can keep making your payments.

This is a good idea, thanks!

 

You may or may not hear from the CA. The hospital collected the full amount it would have been entitled to and turned the "balance" over to a CA who may have decided to not try to collect themselves on the account but resold the account to another CA.

 

Check your EOMBs ( explanation of medical benefits) from your family's surgeries. Look for "patient responsibility". This may be a lot less than what you believed you owed.

 

In the meantime, follow these steps:

 

http://www.whychat.5u.com/GUIDEBOOK.html

 

Opting out will help prevent your data from being sold to data miners. Getting ALL your credit reports is particularly important especially for your husband AND your son, who may or may not have a credit report of his own.

 

You do not need to delete old addresses if you are in the same home you were in when the surgery took place.

Wonderful, thank you so much! I will get started on these steps today. I appreciate your help, more than you know. I couldn't sleep last night over this. Just sick to my stomach.

[Just*Breathe]

I should not call the collection agency, correct? They have not made contact with me, yet.

Edited May 14, 2013 by Just*Breathe

[Why Chat]

I should not call the collection agency, correct? They have not made contact with me, yet.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

 

You THINK you MIGHT owe the $$, but unless and until you match what is being requested ( which you won't know unless and until the CA contacts you or places something on your reports)

 

Contacting the hospital is, IMO pointless as all it will do is to get things messed up., the idea behind credit repair is to avoid getting a paid collection.on your reports.

[Just*Breathe]

 

I should not call the collection agency, correct? They have not made contact with me, yet.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

 

You THINK you MIGHT owe the $$, but unless and until you match what is being requested ( which you won't know unless and until the CA contacts you or places something on your reports)

 

Contacting the hospital is, IMO pointless as all it will do is to get things messed up., the idea behind credit repair is to avoid getting a paid collection.on your reports.

Got it! Thank you, thank you!