Dealing with debt collection for medical bills

[GiorgioP]

Several months ago my daughter saw a doctor for several appointments and I disputed some of the charges (I can provide more explanation if needed). So i paid the doctor bills only partially, not paying for the charges that I disputed.

Now they passed those to a debt collector who contacted me. It is a fairly small amount ($280) which I could settle, but I want to fight because I think it is not right.
I replied to the debt collector with a Response Letter, which I found online. I requested the following:

1. Agreement with the creditor that authorizes you to collect on this alleged debt
2. The agreement bearing my signature stating that I have agreed to assume the debt
3. An itemized breakdown with the service type, date of services and corresponding amounts of what you claim the money is owed for
4. Valid copies of the debt agreement stating the amount of the debt and interest charges
5. Proof that the Statute of Limitations has not expired
6. Complete payment history on this account along with an accounting of all additional charges being assessed
7. Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state; and
8. Your license numbers and Registered Agent

The debt collector responded by sending me only a breakdown of the charges (so basically item 3) but he failed to respond to any of the other requests.
How do you suggest me to proceed?

Thanks

 

[Zigner]

Several months ago my daughter saw a doctor for several appointments and I disputed some of the charges (I can provide more explanation if needed). So i paid the doctor bills only partially, not paying for the charges that I disputed.

Now they passed those to a debt collector who contacted me. It is a fairly small amount ($280) which I could settle, but I want to fight because I think it is not right.
I replied to the debt collector with a Response Letter, which I found online. I requested the following:

1. Agreement with the creditor that authorizes you to collect on this alleged debt
2. The agreement bearing my signature stating that I have agreed to assume the debt
3. An itemized breakdown with the service type, date of services and corresponding amounts of what you claim the money is owed for
4. Valid copies of the debt agreement stating the amount of the debt and interest charges
5. Proof that the Statute of Limitations has not expired
6. Complete payment history on this account along with an accounting of all additional charges being assessed
7. Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state; and
8. Your license numbers and Registered Agent

The debt collector responded by sending me only a breakdown of the charges (so basically item 3) but he failed to respond to any of the other requests.
How do you suggest me to proceed?

Thanks

The debt collector provided the information that is required. Because $280 is a small amount to you, it might be better to just pay the bill, but it's your hill.

 

[quincy]

Several months ago my daughter saw a doctor for several appointments and I disputed some of the charges (I can provide more explanation if needed). So i paid the doctor bills only partially, not paying for the charges that I disputed.

Now they passed those to a debt collector who contacted me. It is a fairly small amount ($280) which I could settle, but I want to fight because I think it is not right.
I replied to the debt collector with a Response Letter, which I found online. I requested the following:

1. Agreement with the creditor that authorizes you to collect on this alleged debt
2. The agreement bearing my signature stating that I have agreed to assume the debt
3. An itemized breakdown with the service type, date of services and corresponding amounts of what you claim the money is owed for
4. Valid copies of the debt agreement stating the amount of the debt and interest charges
5. Proof that the Statute of Limitations has not expired
6. Complete payment history on this account along with an accounting of all additional charges being assessed
7. Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state; and
8. Your license numbers and Registered Agent

The debt collector responded by sending me only a breakdown of the charges (so basically item 3) but he failed to respond to any of the other requests.
How do you suggest me to proceed?

Thanks

You could wait to be sued and let the agency support the charges in court, or you can try to negotiate a fair settlement before you are sued.

At the top of the Debt Collection forum is a “Sticky Note” thread written by TigerD, a former debt collection agency owner and now attorney, on negotiating with a debt collector (see “How to Negotiate a Settlement”).

 

[zddoodah]

Several months ago my daughter saw a doctor for several appointments and I disputed some of the charges

I'll assume your daughter is a minor, but you should confirm that.

So i paid the doctor bills only partially, not paying for the charges that I disputed.

What about medical insurance?

The debt collector responded by sending me only a breakdown of the charges (so basically item 3) but he failed to respond to any of the other requests. How do you suggest me to proceed?

Most of the stuff you requested is pointless. For example, no one has to prove to you that the statute of limitations has expired. If you think it has expired, then the burden is on you to prove it. If you have a valid, substantive dispute, then feel free to maintain your position and/or offer a compromise to avoid further hassle. If not, pay the bill or turn it over to your medical insurance. Keep in mind that, while you might not get sued, the debt might get reported and do harm to your credit score.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state, GiorgioP?

If it has only been “months” since your daughter last saw the doctor, the statute of limitations on collection of the debt would not have passed yet. The limitation periods for written debts vary from state to state but range from the minimum of 3 years to a maximum of 10 years (in most states it is 6 years).

 

[GiorgioP]

Thanks for all your answers.
Yes, my daughter is a minor. We are in Illinois, services took place 2 yrs ago.

 

[quincy]

Thanks for all your answers.
Yes, my daughter is a minor. We are in Illinois, services took place 2 yrs ago.

In Illinois, a debt collector has 10 years to collect on a medical debt. Because this debt is not going to go away anytime soon, you probably should try to negotiate with the collector.

 

[Zigner]

Several months ago my daughter saw a doctor for several appointments...

...services took place 2 yrs ago.

I guess that technically 24 could be considered "several."

 

[Taxing Matters]

I guess that technically 24 could be considered "several."

You left out the key word "months".

 

[quincy]

One positive is that GiorgioP’s medical debt is under $500 so it should not appear on any of his credit reports (unless he paid by credit card and the debt is reported as a credit card debt).

As a note, Governor Pritzker has in his proposed budget for the next fiscal year the erasure of more than $1 billion in medical debt for Illinois residents. This won’t help with GiorgioP’s current $280 debt but it could make for a nicer future for many living in Illinois.

 

[christian_342]

You could consider escalating the matter by contacting consumer protection agencies or seeking legal advice. Failure to provide proper documentation could potentially violate debt collection laws, which aim to protect consumers from unfair practices.
Misrepresenting debts or failing to provide required documentation can be considered deceptive practices. So, theoretically, you could sue them on the grounds of healthcare fraud. For more information, check this law firm's page on healthcare defense practices. If you don't understand what you should do, it's best if you seek some legal advice.

 

[Zigner]

Failure to provide proper documentation could potentially violate debt collection laws, which aim to protect consumers from unfair practices.

While this is a true statement, there is no indication from the OP that the legally required ("proper") documentation was not provided.

 

[quincy]

The invoices from the doctor are considered “proper documentation” of the debt. The doctor has simply turned over the unpaid bills to a debt collector so the doctor can get onto his own business of caring for patients.

I see no indication of “unfair practices” but I do see a possible misunderstanding of the laws that govern debt collectors. I see no reason to contact a consumer protection agency.

You could consider escalating the matter by contacting consumer protection agencies or seeking legal advice. Failure to provide proper documentation could potentially violate debt collection laws, which aim to protect consumers from unfair practices.

 

[Bali Hai Again]

There can be quite a lot of confusion relating to what the insurance company and provider’s billing department declares what is owed.

My insurance and I disputed a bill sent to me from the provider‘s billing department back in the fall 2023. The billing department conceded that I did not owe the amount.

The billing department then sent another bill for a different amount that I disputed after talking with my insurance company. The billing department sent the bill to collections just before thanksgiving. I called the billing department and after a lengthy conversation they insisted that I owed the money contrary to my insurance position. Due to a one and a trillion chance I could be wrong, I paid the bill. The bill was under $50.

Lo and behold in March this year I received a refund check for the disputed amount in the mail. The check memo said “overpayment”. No other explanation. I would call the administrative people in the provider’s billing department inept.

The OP doesn’t indicate insurance is involved but if the bill is legitimate pay it. If you don’t think the bill is legitimate keep fighting for a resolution.

 

[quincy]

There can be quite a lot of confusion relating to what the insurance company and provider’s billing department declares what is owed.

My insurance and I disputed a bill sent to me from the provider‘s billing department back in the fall 2023. The billing department conceded that I did not owe the amount.

The billing department then sent another bill for a different amount that I disputed after talking with my insurance company. The billing department sent the bill to collections just before thanksgiving. I called the billing department and after a lengthy conversation they insisted that I owed the money contrary to my insurance position. Due to a one and a trillion chance I could be wrong, I paid the bill. The bill was under $50.

Lo and behold in March this year I received a refund check for the disputed amount in the mail. The check memo said “overpayment”. No other explanation. I would call the administrative people in the provider’s billing department inept.

The OP doesn’t indicate insurance is involved but if the bill is legitimate pay it. If you don’t think the bill is legitimate keep fighting for a resolution.

The debt collection agency goes by what is provided to them by the creditor.