I had to get an MRI almost 2 years ago now. (I'm fine, the MRI was clean). Back when I got it, I thought my medical insurance was going to pay it. However, a couple of months ago I got a bill from the medical company that did the MRI asking for payment. I called my medical insurance company who said that it was covered but that it went against my deductible. So, now I'm in debt ~$450 and money is tight. I do believe they've sent other bills here and there but I ignored them. They sent me a few pieces of junk mail when I first used them telling me about stuff so I stopped opening stuff from them. I've check my credit reports since that bill came in. They haven't reported anything. And, I looked at the bill they sent, my SSN isn't on it. This doesn't mean they don't have it, but why haven't they reported the debt in this long? So, because money is very tight right now, I'm thinking about taking the gamble and not paying them. If they haven't reported it in 1 year, 10 months, what are the odds they'll report it now?
I would try to work out a payment plan,you did have the service done.What if they had found something wrong and saved your life.I would try to pay it.
Well, in addition to jjgross's comment, I decided to go ahead and pay it. There's also the peace of mind argument. I'm tired of wondering if that's a damn collection agency calling when I don't recognize the number on the caller id. Even though this company has never called me. I checked my credit report a couple of months ago and they hadn't reported it. I just spoke to a lady there and got some errors on the bill they had sent it. I asked if they would send a letter saying if I paid it by such and such a date that it was paid on time, and she was pretty good at changing the subject and saying they would send me a letter saying it was paid in full after I paid it. I just looked on this bill. There's no "due date" on it. I wonder if they can report it to the agencies if they haven't assigned a due date on it? I'm gonna be so pissed if my paying this bill brings it back to their attention and so they report it after I pay it. I might call back tomorrow and try to get something about a statement it won't be reported. She said several times it wouldn't be reported until it was sent to collections. I don't know why them just making a note on a bill or something saying they won't report it would be a big deal? I wonder if because the bills were wrong that they sent me before, I wonder if that means they can't report those debts as being late? But, only if they've corrected the bill and I still haven't paid it in so long? The incorrect bill was $2380. After correcting it, it was $468. I had to argue with a black girl named Theresa and have Blue Cross call her to get it corrected.
Well they may never report it.However because they don't report it you know it's still there.Now this does't stop them from filing suit,according to you you owe the money and a judge will let you know very quickly that you do.I would try to work out a payment plan.Tell them you thought that the insurance had paid it.I would not ignored it,it wont go away.
No, I haven't paid it yet. I just decided to pay it. The issue is they've told me it won't go on my credit report if I pay it because they haven't sent it to collections. So I asked them to send a letter stating such. But, the rep on the phone I talked to was very good about changing the subject and saying they would send me a receipt indicating it was paid in full. What's going on now is I got them to correct the amount I owe. They're sending me a corrected bill, and then I'm going to send them a check for it. I may call back arguing over whether or not they write a note on the new bill. Does anyone have experience trying to get a provider to put in writing something won't get on your credit report? I just figure I have some leverage here because I have their $468 I'm about to send them.
