collection agency tactics

[difrommo]

What is the name of your state?Missouri
I had always heard if you offer to make a payment and they refuse it that your bill was paid. Is this true? We owe a hospital $1100 because they filed the insurance wrong and now our new insurance company won't pay. The hospital turned it over to a collection agency. I offered to pay them half as a settlement but they said no. Then I offered them $50 a month and they want $91. Also, they want to take this directly out of our checking account.
My question is can I refuse to let them do this and make them send me a statement every month and write them a check instead? I really don't think we should have to pay the whole bill since the hospital screwed up when they sent the claim into workers comp when they shouldn't have. I have done everything I know to get this taken care of fairly but noone seems willing. But I can't take the chance of them suing us and freezing our checking account. Thanks for any advice. Diane

 

[nissandave]

What reason is the new insurance company giving as reason for not paying?

All you would probably need to do is to refile CORRECTLY with the insurance company that you had at the time of the hospital stay. Not sure of the time limitations, but if they refuse, you can threaten to contact your state insurance commissioner office and state attorney general.

If they refuse partial payment, then the debt is NOT considered paid.