If I make regular payments on my medical bills, can the hospital still send me to collections?
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If I make regular payments on my medical bills, can the hospital still send me to collections?
Asked on June 10, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Washington
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If the entire amount is due in full then yes, they can send you in to collections. But no one wants to go through that hassle and expense these days so I would take the bull by the horns and negotiate a payment schedule with them. Just call them up and let them know that you would like to set up a payment plan and pay the money due over time. Please make sure that you set up a payment amount that you can afford because they will probably send you an agreement to sign that allows them to enter a judgement upon default of the payment. So make sure that you can indeed pay each month and make sure that in the agreement you have a window of time to pay (like on the 1st of each month but it is not considered late until the 10th) and that you have to be notified of the default and allowed to cure (send in the money). Have someone read what ever they send to be sure. Good luck to you.
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