Medical Collections

Not sure what to tell you. If you don't have the money, you don't have the money. Does the original facility still own the bill and they've just hired a CA to collect or did they sell it off? You might have options for a hardship case if they still own it.

Yes its just a hired collection agency. they just got the bill. so the medical office still owns it.

I would send a letter to the office and explain your medical and financial situation. Ask them if they have a harship plan available where they can both decrease your total balance due and set you up on a payment plan where you can pay a few dollars a month. Make sure it's something you can afford and stick to. If you can only pay $10-$20 month, they need to know that up front. Also, if you can afford to send them anything, send it in. At least that will show that you are making an effort to pay.

Do I send the Collection Agency a Stop letter? Cant remeber what they are called. Then send the medical office the letter asking for a hardship and payments?

Dont want to get lost here. Hope someone can answer my previous question on how to deal with the colllection company. can I send them a letter to stop contacting me and then send a letter to the medical office to workout payments. Thank you

I would send a Cease & Desist letter to the collection agency so they can no longer contact you by telephone, then make workout arrangements with your medical provider's office. If you received care within a hospital, check with them to see if they have any programs for people who experience financial hardship. I understand what you're going through, being unemployed now for almost 3 years.

Some other suggestions would be to contact your mortgage lender to see if they have any programs to keep you from losing your home. If not, there are government programs out there. Here is a link to the HUD website which specifically deals with foreclosure assistance:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/avoiding_foreclosure

Also for information on helping you with your healthcare concerns, find your state within this list of agencies. You may find some information on helping you with the cost of your medication:

http://www.healthfinder.gov/scripts/SearchOrgType.asp?OrgTypeID=8&show=1

You are very mistaken....a cease and desist to the CA does not give you access the the original creditor. CA's are hired under contract for a specific period of time...if you cease the CA and then call the OC, the OC will more than likely tell you to work it out with the collection agency. By contract the CA gets paid for any collections made during that specific period of time and the OC is not going to want to waste man power time when they are forced to pay the CA their commision.

I disagree because I was in a (somewhat) similar situation & it worked to my advantage.