Just received a medical collection notice

[bambacb9700]

Hi I just received a collection notice for a medical bill that I thought was covered by my insurance. Being a procrastinator, I checked with my insurance and apparently it is not covered and is my responsibility.

 

A couple of questions:

 

1) Will this appear on my credit report if I take care of right away?

 

2) Should I take care of it by paying the collection agency?

 

3) The notice says that I can dispute it within 30 days of the notice. I'm wondering if it is better to pay the bill directly to the medical center and then dispute the notice within the 30 days.

 

Thanks.

[Why Chat]

Pay the bill to the health care provider with a bank money order, not a personal check. On the back of the money order, in the endorsement section print, "for deposit only ( name of HC provider)".

 

On the front of the money order, in the "for" section print the account # if you have it( or your SS # if you do not),your name, (if you were the patient)& the date of service.

 

Send it to the billing dept.with a note stating that you just became aware of the fact that your insurance had not paid this and you are sending the payment in full.

 

Make a copy of the money order, front & back, and a copy of the cover letter.

 

DO NOT contact the CA.

[bambacb9700]

Thanks for the input. Has anyone else had this experience or can offer some more advice?

[94B10]

I would just take Whychat's advice on this, he really knows what he is talking about.If you pay the collection agency they will more than likely put it on your report as a paid collection. Which will suck. Good Luck

 

 

Thanks for the input. Has anyone else had this experience or can offer some more advice?

[JenShea]

Does the CA just enjoying putting it on your CR after you pay it when it has never been on there before cuz they SUCK? Are they allowed to do this? Do they have to notify you?

[94B10]

The collection account is most likely already on the report and they will mark it as paid collection when you pay it. If it's not on the report then paying to the OC is what should be done because that is who you owe. I imagine you could do a PFD but that would require something in writing.

 

Does the CA just enjoying putting it on your CR after you pay it when it has never been on there before cuz they SUCK? Are they allowed to do this? Do they have to notify you?

[JenShea]

In my case, I paid the CA around the same time that I had just discovered CB. The account was not on my credit report in October. Four months after I paid it, it reported as a paid collection on EQ. The CA is an affiliate of EQ. One of those Credit Bureau of XYZ ciy. I have no idea why they would report it 4 months after it was paid, unless only to be total and complete aholes. I have sent 2 letters and then I got a call. I sent the 3rd letter asking them to communicate only in writing. I await their response. I have not yet disputed it - it is only on EQ.

 

Thoughts?

[JenShea]

Pryan -

 

Do you have any thoughts?