Will medical bill mess up a good credit standing?

Question

I have a long and good credit history, my bills have always been paid and on time. My question is...I was hospitalized, there were bills for lab work that my insurance wouldn't pay because they said I had to have all my blood work done at a certain lab. However the choice of lab I went to was out of my hands being that I was hospitalized at the time. The lab at the time offered me 1/2 of the price, but I never did pay it because I didn't think I should have to pay it since I had insurance that should have paid it 100%. It was the principle of the thing. So if this is on my credit file will it hurt my credit score? Any suggestion on if it could be removed from my report if it is on there?

This is an old bill about 2 years ago. Has already gone to collections. Is it too late for me to try to fight this with insurance...hospital etc. OR will I have to make the payment to the collecter in order to have it say paid collection which is somewhat better then unpaid collection. Also the bill is about 350.00 not near 1000.00. How long till a collection on file comes off your credit file?

Answer 1

yes...it can affect your credit. get on a plan with the billing dept. you can make minimal payments even as low as $10 per month. i would try that, so that it appears you are making an attempt to pay a debt.

Answer 2

First...you need to get the lab that billed your insurance to re-bill as an emergency bill since you were already hospitalized.

A lot of times insurance companies dont pay because the lab or the hospital bill incorrectly.

Im a bill collector and I have collected from insurance companies for years...you need to call them and say...what do I need to do to get this paid??? And explain why you had to be tested by that lab and in most cases the rep will explain what on the bill needs to be corrected.

Another thing you can do is call the hospital and tell them that you did not agree to pay for things that was not covered in your insurance and that they should have told you about it before they did the procedure and billed you. Even though you signed the waiver saying you would be financially responsible there are rights which the law provides to you and the hospital also has obligations to announce what procedures will and will not be covered and at what rate.

And lastly...there is something called Charity that hospitals and labs provide. Check and see if that hospital and lab has a Charity program...sign up for them and explain to them why you cant pay.

Yes it will show up on your credit report if it remains unpaid, you will go to collection and if the balance is over $1000.00 you can get sued. But the credit report thing and the lawsuit all depends on the collector's mood that day.


And that guy that says you can pay 5.00 a week and they wont get their judgment...thats BS. They can only get their judgment if they sue you for onw and if they do...there is not such agreement in writing so the court wont stand for it.

If you have more questions email [e-mail]

Good Luck

Answer 3

Did you push the issue with the insurance and the hospital?????? You had no choice of which lab you used.
Really, sometimes healthins claims adjusters are just see what's in front ofthem and don't think. Also, see if the other lab will accept what the ins paid. Do some fighting with both.

I just got a bill paid after fighting with them for a year.

Good luck.

I know this isn't your question, but it may save you $$.

Answer 4

Absolutely!But all you have to do is make payment arrangments with the lab or the agency handling your claim.You can pay $5.00 a week and they cannot impose judgement.I have been in the same situation .This will show a positive result on your credit,just dont miss a payment or it will show a negative rating.

Answer 5

Yes, it will still be on your credit report. If you do not pay, it will go to collections and interest and fees will continue to accrue. I had a small bill, $25 become over a hundred dollars due to this. They may also sue to have your paycheck garnisheed.

Answer 6

Any deliquencies affect your credit. Pay the bill and it will get removed after time.

Answer 7

Any unpaid bill will affect your credit rating.

Answer 8

yes it will hurt. it will stay on you credit history for 7 years

Answer 9

yes...i cant get a good job because they check my credit...i was told if your insurance doesnt cover it you shouldnt have got it done...i mind as well had no insurance

Answer 10

yep if u don't pay this will hurt your score