Results 1 to 5 of 5

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    1

    Default If Any Monthly Payment Provided, Can Hospitals Legally Send the Debt to Collections

    My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Missouri

    Hello, experts,

    I received a CT scan and ultrasound at Saint Louis University Hospital (aka, SluCare) through their radiology facility, TennetCare. I was never told pricing at any point before I received the billing and insurance information. I had no idea what the perspective on radiology pricing would be. I knew I had bad insurance, but I thought their cap payment would at least cover a minor amount of the cost. In fact, that was the understatement of the century. My insurance, a limited benefits plan through Reliance Standard Life, covered about 2% of the cost of the procedures, and now I'm stuck with $7000 in debt. I certainly was not aware that, for all practical purposes, I have no insurance; rather, I'm lighting a nauseating amount of my money on fire by paying them, and, for some reason, I'm still too terrified to cancel the plan because it's all I can get.

    I should have asked about prices, but hindsight is 20/20. Regardless, the billing department is attempting to force me into a payment plan of $180 a month for the next several years. My wife and I are just starting out in this world together, and to pay that amount of money monthly is more than we can bear. They have stated that, even if we DO pay them monthly, if we do not pay the full $180, they will send the bill to a collections agency.

    My questions are thus:
    1. The billing department is in a state other than Missouri. Which state laws regarding collections apply to the bills: Missouri's or those of the billing department state?
    2. Regardless of hospital policies, is it legal for them to send the bill to collections if we remit the payment we can actually manage? I have signed no contracts and made no further legally-binding agreements other than those required to get the procedure, which would require clarification because I was never given a copy of any agreements I may have signed for my review.

    Thanks,
    makmrb

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: If Any Monthly Payment Provided, Can Hospitals Legally Send the Debt to Collectio

    If a debt is due and you don't pay in full, it can be referred to collections.

    What laws are you asking about, in relation to collections?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: If Any Monthly Payment Provided, Can Hospitals Legally Send the Debt to Collectio

    They can legally send it to collections even if you pay monthly.

    (That's really all there is to it)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: If Any Monthly Payment Provided, Can Hospitals Legally Send the Debt to Collectio

    If you feel you qualify as low income, take proof of income, rent etc.. to their business office and see if they will provide an adjustment due to income.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: If Any Monthly Payment Provided, Can Hospitals Legally Send the Debt to Collectio

    1. The billing department is in a state other than Missouri. Which state laws regarding collections apply to the bills: Missouri's or those of the billing department state? Missouri's


    2. Regardless of hospital policies, is it legal for them to send the bill to collections if we remit the payment we can actually manage? Yes.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Disputing Debts: How to Send Someone to Collections
    By mabeline in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-25-2011, 01:46 PM
  2. Debt Collectors: Sent to Collections Even if Making Monthly Payments
    By smithtl06 in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-24-2010, 12:16 PM
  3. Debt Collectors: Sent into Collections Even Though Proof of Payment in Full Was Provided
    By lisaasil in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-02-2008, 05:24 PM
  4. Debt Collectors: Minimum Monthly Payment Amount
    By anon91827 in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-25-2008, 05:22 PM
  5. Debt Collectors: Can Hospitals Refuse Your Minimum Payment Offer
    By Nsoroma79 in forum Debts and Collections
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 06-28-2008, 11:54 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources