What happens when an unpaid medical bill is sent to an attorney?
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Melissa asked:
I had a medical bill that I couldn’t pay. It was sent to a debt collector, and now an attorney. What’s going to happen if I still can’t pay it?
Steps To Performing Cpr
I had a medical bill that I couldn’t pay. It was sent to a debt collector, and now an attorney. What’s going to happen if I still can’t pay it?
Steps To Performing Cpr
October 17th, 2009 at 8:51 am
You may wind up in court if the bill is large enough. Most likely your wages will be garnished. How large is the bill? What are the circumstances surrounding your inability to pay? Have you offered to make small regular monthly payments?
October 17th, 2009 at 9:19 am
It can mess up your credit. Call your local medical center to see if there are any charities to help you. Or Try and work out a payment plan with them. they will work with you.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:20 am
The situation is probably that the attorney works for the debt collector who thinks that a letter from an attorney will be more intimidating that one from the collector. Look at the quality of the paper from the attorney correspondence. If it looks like photocopy paper, they are just blowing smoke. If there is reasonable potential for collection through a suit, you should get a letter that is more direct and to the point.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Most collection companies are owned by lawyers or are closely affiliated with a law firm. Once the collection efforts result in nothing the lawyer for the company will send a debt letter to you stating that you must pay within ten days to avoid further litigation. If you don’t make payment arrangement the lawyer will file a law suit and seek a judgement which he will obtain in about thirty or so days. All this will be on your credit report; the collection and the judgement, once it is obtained. If you are employed or if they know or can find out your banking connections, which they tend to have ways to do, they will garnish your wages and your bank account, further damaging your credit and possibly putting you in an arkward position at work. I suggest you make arrangments to pay something on the debt each month, because all the time and effort by the lawyer will be added to what you owe as will court cost and interest/penalties. Just call them up and say you will pay them a certain amount per month, and always offer them less than you are will to pay. For example, if you think you can pay $50.00 per month, offer to pay them $25.00, so when they say that is not enough we need $60.00 or $75.00 you can come back and say you can only pay a maximum of $50.00. In all aspects of your situation you do not want it to go into the courts and you need to stop it now, and when you do reach an agreement, also request that if you meet the agreed upon conditions, that they will vacate, (remove), the collection from your credit. They generally will, but get it in writing before you pay them anything. Good Luck.
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:01 am
Well, what just basically happend is. The hospital/doctor sent your med bill to an attorney based collection agency. They do not have any more power than an ordinary collection agency. They are going to give you calls just like any other collection agency and try to send you over fake judgments and/or summons as a scare tactic to pay.
October 24th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Call them and ask if they would be willing to accept 25 dollars a month and that you will send more money as it becomes available to you. Most of the time they will work with you. I am dealing with the same thing. The people with the collections are people to and most of the time they will work with you if they know you are willing and trying to pay the bill.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
they will sue you.