Can I avoid being sent to a collection agency?

Question

My son owes $1400 to a hospital. He is unemployed and cannot pay. I have been paying $50 every month. Every month my son gets a letter saying if he doesn't contact them to set up a payment plan he will be sent to collections. When I tell them he's unemployed, they want ME to sign an agreement to pay $150 a month. I will not sign an agreement because it's not my debt (he's an adult). I am also unemployed and can't be sure I can give them that much. Each month they cash the $50 check. I thought if they continually accept and cash the check it's an indication that they are agreeing to that monthly amount and it shouldn't be sent to collections. At least I've been told that in reverse (that if I start paying say $200 a month, I'm committing to that as a monthly payment). Can they put him in collections when they are receiving a monthly payment?

Answer 1

Yes, they can turn it over to collections. I would be helpful if you contacted the hospital billing company and followed up with a letter stating the situation.

Answer 2

yes they can ,and they will keep all you have paid,but they might be bluffing,if they turn it over to a collector they might not get the 50 per month that you are already paying so it might be more profitable to wait for you.the collector gets what he can from you ,then keeps a percentage of what he can collect,when you only owe 1400 they might not get half if turned over to the collector,so with that in mind ,call their bluff ,send them as much money (monthly) as you can ,5 or 10 might be enough,but pay it off as soon as reasonable,if you can keep the 50 coming every month they will be glad to get it i bet,...........tom

Answer 3

They are accepting payment but that does not mean they have entered into an agreement with you.  The balance is due in full.  The only way to avoid collections is to enter into an agreement with them and they get to negotiate the terms.  Sometimes collection agencies will be a little more lenient with payment plans but it is a bad mark on the credit.

Answer 4

I went through this. Call them and tell them you’re on a payment plan. Be honest, “I can swing $50/month. That’s what I’m sending you. I can’t agree to more because I don’t have more to spare.”

Answer 5

if hes an adult, why are YOU even paying the 50 a month? and why are YOU posting the question of how to avoid going to collections?

edit: yes you said your son is unemployed, maybe you should tell him to get off his butt get a job and stop paying for his things.

Answer 6

Read the link completely, it may help.

"You may apply for Hill-Burton assistance at any time, before or after you receive care. You may even apply after a bill has been sent to a collection agency. If a hospital obtains a court judgment before you applied for Hill-Burton assistance, the solution must be worked out within the judicial system. However, if you applied for Hill-Burton before a judgment was rendered and are found eligible, you will receive Hill-Burton even if a judgment was rendered while you were waiting for a response to your application."

I have no idea if the hospital is a Hill Burton required , but using the link, you should be able to find out, and even if it isn't, applying could provide relief.

Answer 7

Honestly your son should be the one calling and making payment arrangements, the Hospital treated him when he needed medical care, and if you look at the agreement he received when he was discharged i sure it clearly states you have to pay back.

Have him contact the hospital and explained he is unemployed, and have him go out an find a job, while you continue to make his payments.

Answer 8

The sad truth is that they can submit to collection because although you are paying in good faith, since you have not negotiated this payment you (your son) owes the full amount.

It may be worth the call to the hospital by your son to negotiate the bill to $50 per month. If you make that reach they typically react well.

Good Luck

Tropper

www.dontdiepoor.com

Answer 9

Most heath care bills will not report you if you are making a payment. The heath care around here won't report you if you are paying it. I have about $3000 owed in 2 surgeries to my doctor that's hospital bills and doctor bills, they were when I was under 18 so it on my moms account and she told me they told her she was fine as long as she makes some type of payment