jazmin Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I have a medical collection that was sent to an attorney, luckily I found out before a suit was filed so I called the atty. I told them I was struggling financially, blah blah blah, and the lady (paralegal maybe?) finally agreed to PFD for $750. They were trying to charge $950, and the original debt of $545 is still in SOL. I don't actually know who owns the debt, but the CA told me they weren't dealing with the acct, the atty was. I feel like I should take the deal since it may be my only chance to delete, but I am really strapped for cash and don't want to pay any more than I have to. I have until April 30 to get the $ to the attys office before they file, and I'm scared that if I try to dig they will get mad and just file suit since our agreeement was only verbal. If I ask for written, then I might be bound to it if I decide to try something else. What should I do now??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpgirl Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 What is this from? Did you have insurance, do you owe this amount?If you do agree to a PFD, it is completely worthless unless it is in writing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazmin Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 It's from hospital bills from early '06. I don't even know details because I had a ton of med bills around then and the CA said the 'client name' is Ascend Billing Services. I probably owe it since I didn't have insurance.I wouldn't do a PFD without written agreement, but I just feel like I'm getting scared into paying since I have no info and they can sue any time.If I call the atty do they have to tell me the name/contact of the OC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpgirl Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Haven't they sent you anything? They don't sue right off the bat, you must have something.It sounds like a billing service that most likely bills for private doctors that were involved in your hospital stay. When you were in the hospital did you get any help from them in applying for Medicaid or some program to help you out? That is almost always done with uninsured patients.You need to not panic and do not call the CA office. They are trying to scare you. Communicate in writing only from now - don't call them. They do need to inform you of who the medical provider is that this bill is from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retmar Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 Did you receive any letters in the mail that told you of your rights?How did you find out about this debt?If they simply called you and told you to "pay or else", this is illegal, period. Certain things must occur. Give us more info to assist you.dpgirl is correct. Many medical providers use a billing service to handle their claims, most of who are ER's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazmin Posted April 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2007 I got the letter from the CA in Feb, and didn't do anything about it till march. When I called then, they said they already sent it to an atty, so I have to call them, which I did. The only problem is that they wont give me the agreement in writing. I didn't feel great but I paid $750 with the atty's word about the deletion and a settlement letter (just says PIF). I got the verbal agreement on tape (CO is 1-party), but the debt was valid and the atty said if they didn't get the $ today they would serve me. I took a chance because I know I'd lose in court & then it would be even harder to clear my CR. It's not the best deal but I did owe it, and the atty is local and reputable. I hope it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retmar Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 I'm sorry, I do not agree with how this was handled. I would file a complaint with your state bar, board of ethics, and AG, for starters. When you wirte the letter, state everything from date of treatment until date you paid. Copy all letters and make a copy of the tape, to be included. And, yes, include who you talked to and main points of conversation, including CA rep. Here's why.1. You were not allowed to dispute the debt. Their refusal to send you the written agreement is ilegal. Even if you were past the 30 day window, the law only says they "may assume" the debt is valid. Besides, 807( 8) has no 30 day nor does it have a written requirement. Thus, they have knowledge you are disputing if you ask for a copy of the agreement. I also see overshadowing as their turning over to an attorney barely a month past, not right. They did not afford you the required amount of time to respond. Remember, the letter may be dated one date, but, may not have been mailed for another couple of days, depending on the CA. Now, you must add "reasonable" time for you to receive letter, as well as reasonable time for your response to be returned. In short, you should have had at the minimum 40 days from date of letter for this to be proper.2. The attorney's threat of your being served if no payment today is not right as it causes you to think you will be served tomorrow, if no payment today. We all know it can take "a few" days up to weeks before you are served.So glad you got that recorded. Do realize that what I say is not to get your money back, it is only to get this CA and attorney into the system for not playing fair. And, if no one complains, no one can stop it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy99 Posted April 20, 2007 Report Share Posted April 20, 2007 I was wondering something along the same lines myself, I was sent a bill from a hospital for 200 dollars. They turned it over to a CA and the CA sent me a bill for 2500 dollars. A month later sent me a bill for 200 dollars, and then a month later another bill for 2500, all with the exact account number.Would this be something worth Dv'ng??I do have a copy of the hospital bill for 200, and both copies of the bills sent to me by the CA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retmar Posted April 21, 2007 Report Share Posted April 21, 2007 Most definitely DV this CA. Do not lose those letters you already have. More than likely they are a simple error and nothing you can do about it. But, do not mention the error in your DV. Wait for next communication. I'm assuming there is no insurance involved. If there is, let us know.Why I say to wait is so you can determine if it was a simple error, or an attempt to overcharge you. Otherwise, if you jump now, you have given them an easy fix, if it was an overcharge. Then, once you receive the DV response, you can see how much is actuall due. It should be for the amount billed by the provider, plus applicable fees and interest. If the provider billed for $200 , then the total should be approximately $225, give or take a couple. Now, if you find they blew it on the amount due, you will make an offer of settlement for half price, plus deletion of TL. If this happens, let us know for next step. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy99 Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 There is insurance, and I am almost positive the total billing was not that much, plus I have a bill from the hospital with the amount of 200 dollars as well as the Ca, both the exact account number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retmar Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Contact your insurance and ask them for a copy of the EOB. All you are liable for is what is on the EOB, nothing more. This does not include alllowed fees and interest with the CA, only the original bill. Go to our sticky here about Medical bills and use it for reference and your questions to your insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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