Here's a doozy. Two years ago, I had a non-neccesity (in most's eyes) surgery that was considered cosmetic but was neccessary for me to have life without pain. I don't want to get too personal, but this surgery involved excruciating back pain and at the time I had no medical insurance. I am a nurse, and it was suggested to me by the plastic surgeon whom I consulted with that the surgery would help immensely with the pain (and he was soooo right). Struggling as always, I had contracted with the hospital to pay the debt ($11,000) off over a year's time. However (and be patient with me, this is back in the time of sheer stupidity regarding my credit issues, which were already horrible...)......after only two months the hospital placed the account in collections. Sigh. I didn't touch it because it has taken me this long to get off my a** and start working on my credit. I wasn't sure how to approach it because I know the CRA's are demons and would take me for a ride if I didn't know how to defend myself and deal with them. Now it seems an attorney has taken over the case, and is threatening judgment. I am just getting started with all this stuff.....and this is my biggest liability money-wise on my credit reports. How in the world do I go about tackling this? I want to pay my bill......but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot, either. Help, please!!!!!!
First, contact the collections department of the hospital where you have the dispute and speak honestly with them. Then, go from there. I'm sure there'll be plenty of advice on other aspects of the case from others.
