Medical bills: I need someone that knows about medical bills

[justmeagain]

I have 5 outstanding accounts at the hospital. People think you can just pay whatever you can pay and they won't send it off to the collection agency. I was informed that this was not correct and after the hospital demanding a payment arrangement in the hundreds per month (which is impossible for me to pay)..........I went through the chain of command and finally got a payment arrangement for 50.00.........which is still too high but whatever.
Anyways........I tried to make my 50.00 online and then I got a letter in the mail today with a sticker across my bill saying payment declined (although my credit card never declined the billing) and then the balance they want me to pay.
So my question is..........I have heard from various sources that if they decline your payment then legally they are saying my bill is paid. I'm not sure if this is true or not. Does anyone know?

[carisal]

I dont know, but when I sued an apartment complex that kept $800 out of my security deposit for a small area of carpet (really long story but totally not my fault at all and definitely not 800 worth anyways).... I was warned NOT to cash the check for the refund (about 200 of about 1000 deposit) or else it would show that I accepted that amount(to keep the check and take it with me to court). now if you have it in writing that you were to pay 50, paid 50, and that 50 was declined..... I have no idea.

and yeah I thought I could pay whatever to the hospital too and they wanted to send me to collections, a few years back - my bill was maybe $300 and I paid 10-20 a month.... after a year I got the notice that they needed it paid in full or they would take it out my taxes :(

[foggierbard9]

I can't guarantee it, but I have heard the same thing that if they are not willing to accept your payments then the debt is settled. Again I can't guarantee this but I have heard the same as you.

[notsyourbeezwax]

I would not assume that you did not need to make the payment without consulting a lawyer licensed to practice in your state. It may be that the payment arrangement you made was not recorded in your file and that they are avoiding the appearance of a payment agreement. Or possibly there was a problem with submission of your payment that you are not aware of. No matter what, don't let this escalate. More people get into trouble for following the advice of their "nephew's girlfriends brother, who has a lawyer for a roomate" than you would believe.

[beth119]

Trust me... they don't care WHAT arrangments are made...

My 18 year old sister recieved a notice a couple weeks ago from a collection agency... she had 30 days to respond before reporting to her credit...

I called the LAB where the bill originated from (stemming from an auto accident)... I asked them if they had recieved any communications from her attorney...

Response? "Let me check. Yes, there is a notice to hold the account pending settlement on a lawsuit"...

WTF then?

[MaryMary]

You do not know why the payment is declined.
Do you have a record of your attempt to pay? Did it go throught with your source of payment, or at least an attempt?
Call them up and ask. Tell them you've tried to fulfill your obligations, but received that letter with demands instead of confirmation of the payment.

[Sculpture Widow]

So my question is..........I have heard from various sources that if they decline your payment then legally they are saying my bill is paid. I'm not sure if this is true or not. Does anyone know?

My assumption would be that if your bill was paid, it would say so, not "payment declined". I have know idea what they mean by payment declined.....

Never assume a bill is taken care of. I would call and talk to someone asap before it gets worse. As others have said, you will need a complete verifiable trail of who you've talked to and when.

Doctors & hospitals will send you to collections in a heartbeat. And once you get to collections, you've been reported to credit companies, and even if you are in the right, it's normally a nightmare to get your credit history fixed.

[ELLE-TN]

Definitely stay on top of this the hospital CAN and WILL take your home if you own. I know a couple that this happened to recently. Have you tried filling out the forms for them to write the accounts off? The can do it if they want to and you meet their qualifications for indigent care. My neighbor has had luck several times with them doing this (same hospital that took the other couples house).

Good Luck! And, if you have to.... talk to an attorney. You might find one that will help you for FREE.

[justmeagain]

well, I found out today that the payment didn't go through because all my accounts are in the process of being transferred to some other agency who handles payment arrangements etc. I'm sure it is some collection agency. Whatever.......GGGGRRRR