You are here:

Collections Law/NEVER NOTIFIED OF MEDICAL BILL

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/22/2010


Question
How do I handled a medical bill that was sold to collect agency/lawyer office;I never received a bill from hospital. I received a letter in mail Friday (10/17/10) from collection agency. I contacted the hospital the next business day. I found out the hospital had the wrong address and telephone number. This bill is about a year old.
I did contact the hospital a year ago to inform them I have not received a bill. I was told in a rude manner I need to wait till the hospital send me a bill in mail.

I contacted the collection agency and I was told by hospital and the only want to give e  me 6 months to paid off $2500.00 medical bill.

what recourse can I take.  

Answer
Very little that I know of.  They are going to tell you that you should have stayed in touch with them to get a bill.  They are as much at fault as you are but they hold all the cards.  Maybe you can talk them into a smaller payment plan.  Sorry I don't have better news for you.

Collections Law

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Ray A Miller

Expertise

I am qualified to answer questions on the following subjects: FDCPA, FCRA and HIPAA as well as medical collections, general collections and collection agency related issues. I trained these subjects at a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center and audited around 150 representatives for compliance to the laws. I have been in the Collections Industry for over 30 years. I feel that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with compassion and that is the way I trained collectors. Even though I worked for a Collection Agency, I get great satisfaction in helping those who have been mistreated or in need of help with these confusing issues.

Experience

I was the Compliance Administrator with a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center-I have trained hundreds of collectors on the above referenced topics. I have been in the medical collections industry for over twenty years and research these topics on a daily basis.

Organizations
ACA International

Education/Credentials
Some college ACA Certified Collection Specialist

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.