Can you be placed on a pay plan for medical bills?

Question

a medical bill for 3000$ just popped up on my credit report as in collections... account status is "closed" I called the billing office.. no answer ( its Sunday, I will try back tomorrow ) I don't have that money to pay up front do they do pay plans for that kind of thing so it stops negatively credit reporting?

Answer 1

If it's showing up on your credit report, you may have to deal with the collection agency instead of the medical provider.  You should have received something from the medical provider about this debt.

You can negotiate a settlement with the collection agency.  Be sure to ask for a delete for pay.  You pay $x and they remove the item from your credit report.  If the debt is over 3 years old, offer 25%; 2 or 3 years old, offer 50%, less than 2 years old, offer 75%.  Lump sum gets the best deals.  Payment plans have to be short term.

Get any settlement agreement in writing before you pay and keep it, along with your payment proof, forever.  Do not give the collector direct access to your bank account.

Paying off this debt will not help your score unless you get the item deleted.  You may want to save up till you have a lump sum payment before making your offer.

Answer 2

Yes.  Negotiate the monthly amount and do not miss a payment otherwise the entire amount is due.