My parents were in a motorcycle accident, the passenger was covered up to 25,000 (my mother). But the rider is not covered, (my father). He had just switched jobs so no health insurance. This happened Labor Day weekend. They owe about 24,000, and have been paying what they can afford which is 200 a month. The hospital turned it over to collections and they called today and told her she had to pay 300 a month and that would last for a few months and they would review the case and because they have no children at home it would then be upped to 500 for a while and reviewed again, then they would proceed to get a judgement against there home and garnish their wages...Can they really do this??? I thought as long as you were paying regularly and on time that they couldnt????
2007-02-06 01:45:07 · 6 answers · asked by freemannichole 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
we called the hospital and they said they not longer have the account it was sent to collection agency
2007-02-06 02:33:18 · update #1
First things first, never deal with a collection agency. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have a right not to be contacted by them. Send them a "cease and desist" letter, which basically says not to contact you about the debt:
"Under the FCRA I am charging you to cease and desist contacting me about this debt. I am currently paying $200 a month and that is all I can afford."
If you get a summons, don't ignore it. Hire a lawyer and he will negotiate with the court and tell them $200 is all you can afford to pay. If that doesn't work, threaten to file bankruptcy and that will stop them in their tracks. $200 a month is better than nothing.
Bottom line is, continue to pay what you can. DO NOT pay anymore than you can afford. If you have any problems, get a lawyer to defend you. But NEVER talk to them on the phone; do it in writing only.
2007-02-06 02:22:40 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin K 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kevin K is right on. They can say anything they want to try and collect the balances, because the collectors get commission. A good bill collector can actually be of big help to you. As long as you are paying 200.00 per month, if they did attempt to take you to court to get more, the judge would likely throw it out, because you are making reasonable payments.
If you are ever in a position to negotiate; some of these companies can negotiate a .33 to .50 per dollar settlement. If they do though, there will be a little tax liability for the amount you got written off.
good luck & blessing
2007-02-06 02:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by Wood Smoke ~ Free2Bme! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, have the collection agency removed from the debt by sending them a certified letter requesting them to be removed from your case. This should go back to the hospital and youu can speak with someone there. The collection agency will use any level of force that they think will push you to pay faster. Remember they get a percentage of what they collect. As long as there has been activity/payments on the account this looks better on your behalf.
2007-02-06 02:46:49 · answer #3 · answered by kam 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From my understanding, they absolutely CAN. However, collections agencies will say ANYTHING to get their money. Try to negotiate with them. I'm not so sure they could put a judgement against the house for a medical bill. It's possible, though. Check out DaveRamsey.com for more info on this, he has a syndicated radio show that deals with stuff like this all the time.
2007-02-06 02:24:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
a team business enterprise can not positioned a judgement against you as long as you're making fee to them. a team business enterprise can not garnish your wages no count what occurs. interior the country their is barely a pair techniques your pay may well be garnished and thats in case you owe Federal Taxes and newborn help. they gained't take a bill of $500 to court docket because it may fee too plenty in attorney fee's and that they be attentive to the courts could toss it out by using your already making money. the subsequent time they call tell them if the proceed calling you will give up making money and that they might sue you in court docket for the soundness. they are going to give up by using fact its extra advantageous to get alittle money slowley then no money in any respect
2016-12-17 03:40:23 · answer #5 · answered by tollefson 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they can.
2007-02-06 02:00:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋