Served Papers by collections agency in Nebraska for $1956.90

[EllimistK]

Hi there and thank you for any help given ahead of time.

 Yesterday I was served with papers by a sheriff notifying me that Accredited Collection Services Inc is suing me for the amount of $1956.20

This debt relates to when I had to visit the ER due to a broken elbow, was given ex rays, and a sling for it. Thought I'd paid it all off but apparently this is another debt related to it.

I have 30 days to file an appropriate response, what are my options? What's my best course of options? I don't necessarily have the money for a lawyer but I guess I can figure something out if I need to? I can borrow the money from a friend to pay it off all at once if I have to, is there any way to pay this at a reduced cost. I'd love to be able to pay to remove the debt but I seriously doubt that's an option now. 

With any questions I'll edit more details in that are needed etc. 

Thank you so much!

[BackFromTheDebt]

Often you can settle the case with a smaller amount.  The attorney’s office may have some room for negotiation.  If that is your plan, it would be best to contact them ASAP.  Try to get this settled before the answer date.  

[EllimistK]

9 minutes ago, BackFromTheDebt said:

Often you can settle the case with a smaller amount.  The attorney’s office may have some room for negotiation.  If that is your plan, it would be best to contact them ASAP.  Try to get this settled before the answer date.  

Okay so I wouldn't contact the collection agency directly but the attorney that is representing the company? 

[Clydesmom]

2 hours ago, EllimistK said:

what are my options? What's my best course of options?

You can settle.  Whether you can settle for less depends on two factors.  First:  did you file through a health insurance plan?  If so, then if this is your out of pocket expense they cannot settle for less it would be illegal rebating and breach of contract with your insurer as you would be getting a discount they didn't give the insurer.  Second:  what exactly is the bill for?  A physician?  Radiology service?  If insurance wasn't used was charity care/discounts already applied?  If they have already discounted the amount as much as possible then reducing the amount owed may not be possible.

It is also possible they would settle for a payment plan vs paying lump sum.  If settling for less is an option lump sum offers typically get the best reduction.

[EllimistK]

6 minutes ago, Clydesmom said:

You can settle.  Whether you can settle for less depends on two factors.  First:  did you file through a health insurance plan?  If so, then if this is your out of pocket expense they cannot settle for less it would be illegal rebating and breach of contract with your insurer as you would be getting a discount they didn't give the insurer.  Second:  what exactly is the bill for?  A physician?  Radiology service?  If insurance wasn't used was charity care/discounts already applied?  If they have already discounted the amount as much as possible then reducing the amount owed may not be possible.

It is also possible they would settle for a payment plan vs paying lump sum.  If settling for less is an option lump sum offers typically get the best reduction.

I didn't have insurance, I thought I did but that's a whole other fiasco (Job furlough, never mentioned having to pay for the insurance and never called again and kept delaying the time they'd hire back) 

So it didn't go through insurance, it was for an X-ray of an elbow/arm rea. Plus a sling and a Tylenol.  No charity care/discounts applied. 

[Clydesmom]

4 hours ago, EllimistK said:

I didn't have insurance, I thought I did but that's a whole other fiasco (Job furlough, never mentioned having to pay for the insurance and never called again and kept delaying the time they'd hire back) 

So it didn't go through insurance, it was for an X-ray of an elbow/arm rea. Plus a sling and a Tylenol.  No charity care/discounts applied. 

Understood.  That puts you in a position to negotiate a settlement for less.  Get the terms in writing before you pay if you are going to settle for a lump sum lesser amount.  Settlement talks are not admissible in court and you can negotiate up until the gavel falls and a decision is made.

[LaneBlane]

Has this collection been added to your credit report?  If it has, I would attempt to negotiate a settlement that includes having the collection completely removed from your credit reports.

[BackFromTheDebt]

9 hours ago, EllimistK said:

Okay so I wouldn't contact the collection agency directly but the attorney that is representing the company? 

Once it is with an attorney you negotiate with the attorney’s office 

[EllimistK]

17 hours ago, LaneBlane said:

Has this collection been added to your credit report?  If it has, I would attempt to negotiate a settlement that includes having the collection completely removed from your credit reports.

I just double checked and the only collections mark I have is from one I’ve paid off a while back. It’s not on my credit report? Never was which is what surprised me more. 

[LaneBlane]

1 hour ago, EllimistK said:

I just double checked and the only collections mark I have is from one I’ve paid off a while back. It’s not on my credit report? Never was which is what surprised me more. 

I've heard that a lot of collections related to medical bills aren't reported.  I don't know if this is true or not. 

[Clydesmom]

9 hours ago, EllimistK said:

I just double checked and the only collections mark I have is from one I’ve paid off a while back. It’s not on my credit report? Never was which is what surprised me more. 

Many collection agencies delete a trade line right before suing to prevent counter claims.  \

7 hours ago, LaneBlane said:

I've heard that a lot of collections related to medical bills aren't reported.  I don't know if this is true or not. 

The laws changed a while back that they cannot report for 180 days to give insurance time to process the claims and pay the provider(s).  It also gives the consumer time to pay their portion of the balance.  Once 180 days has elapsed it can be reported.