My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Colorado
This is a strange one. My wife and I were in a car accident in 2007, and we both had to be transported to the hospital. She passed away, and I survived (obviously). I took care of the bills I got, and considered everything clean and clear within a few months. Until yesterday. Yesterday I got a call from the hospital about ANOTHER bill that was never sent to me NOR sent to collections - the bill is still with the hospital. My understanding is that the statute of limitations in CO for medical debt is 6 years - which is coming up in less than 3 months. I'm beyond furious that I am only NOW getting a call about this bill. My question is if I blow them off and it goes to collections after Dec 10th 2013, what options does the hospital and/or debt collector have? I have never made any payments on this debt/account, as I didn't know it existed and they apparently didn't feel like calling me about it. I spoke with the hospital about it and they have frozen the bill for 30 days while we figure out what happened. I figure I can probably string them along for another 30 days after that since I'm going to have to comb through a year's worth of bank statements looking for the amounts I did pay them already to ensure I'm not being asked to pay one of my old bills from them a second time.
Can they ding my credit over this? Still attempt to collect the debt? Harass me? Take me to court? Take out a lein against me if it goes past 6 years?
Thanks!

