Medical Malpractice

Old hospital bills effect on credit?

Hello and happy Friday to you all. This is a special weekend for me, since my Grandma is visiting from Ohio. I just opened my first ever CC. A secured card with a $400 limit. So far as I know, I've no credit history. I think I checked a while back and there was not enough info on me to give a score. I have no health insurance. Back in mid 2004 I smacked my scalp open and needed 17 staples. Then in late 2004 to mid '05 I cut my finger while shelling a coconut. Needed 3 stitches. I thought the bills were totally ridiculous, so I blew them off. The hospital's collection law firm tried to find me, but I ignored their letters. Haven't seen or heard anything from them in at least 2 or 3 years. Any idea if these old 'debts' will have an effect on my credit score? Like I said, so far as I know, I don't even have one yet. Thanks. Somebody is gonna start the weekend off right with 10 delectable points on this one!!!

Public Comments

1. Yes they probably report on your credit. Which wil GREATLY effect your score. It is every creditors choice/right weither or not to report on your credit bureau but almost all real companies (which health companies and hospitals are) DO report on your credit if you have not been paying. Especially if the many attempts to get a hold of you have failed. Try calling the companies and find out if their is anything you can do. They may accept less money OR set up a payment plan to pay it off. Get health insurance, go to free clinics or imigrate to Canada (I had $100,000 surgery and owe NOTHING "socialism" can benefit a society)
2. Yes, they may well show up on your credit report. In fact, opening that secured card account may be what enables them to find you.
3. These old debts are old, they will fall of in 6 years with statute of limitations. Do not promise anything to a collector. How much do you owe? You may be able to settle them for less than you owe but you will have to pay that amount asap if you strike a settlement. Most will not take payments if you make a settlement. You can negotiate a settle pay and remove. Get them to agree in writing that they will remove the bad info from your credit file. Only a collection agency can do this. If the Drs have a mark on your report it cannot be removed but the collector can remove theirs. If you have no activity with the collectors the statue of limitations will run and the debt will fall off your file in 6 years. BUT if you have any type of transactions with these old bills the statute will start over.
4. Yes, it will affect your credit score. Your account will be sold to a collections agency, and instead of you building a good credit file, you are being smacked monthly with a CO or collections on your report! Just because you *thought* the bills were ridiculous, doesn't negate the fact that you signed a paper and accepted treatment. I am thinking you didn't have a problem with them stitching you up? If it has only been 2 or 3 years, you got another 4 to 7 to go with them making a nice ding in your score monthly.
5. Yes, the hospital can and will sell this debt to a collection agency. And yes, this will be reported against you on your credit report.