Buying house and need to take care of collections ASAP

I would write them requesting validation first, await results. Most likely they will not validate, and then you have negotiating leverage. I would then formally write a "Pay For Delete" letter stating you will pay full amount, but require removal from reporting to credit reporting agencies.

You have the time frame to complete this before your mortgage application. Do not tell them you will be applying for a mortgage, nor mention any concerns over your credit reports.

By The Way, did you ever receive any communication for the debts from the collection agency?

 

Are you sure they are even owed?

If you were covered by insurance, and if the medical provider was "in-network", and if you provided your insurance information, the medical provider was probably obligated to submit your claims to your insurance company in a timely fashion. It is common for insurance-provider contracts to specify that claims that are not submitted timely (which might be specified to be from 180 days to some longer period) are not owed, either by the insurer, or by the patient.

In addition, any claim that was submitted may be subject to an agreement, or negotiation, with the insurer regarding the amount of compensation. Insurance adjustments may reduce a bill substantially, resulting in only a small patient co-pay. It is not uncommon for billing errors to result in patients being billed for amounts higher than they should actually owe.

 

I'm also almost positive I've read somewhere that medical collections are virtually ignored when applying for a mortgage, though maybe that was only with a FHA...?

 

I am currently applying for a mortgage. I have been told mortgage lenders don't even look at medical accts.

Tegleg