Is it a bill from the hospital or a bill from a debt collection agency? I wouldn't pay it either way since it's impossible to know after 17 years if it was paid by you or your insurance company. Check your state laws, each state is different, but most states have a 3 or 4 year statute of limitations on debt collection. The debt never goes away but after the statute of limitations period passes the collection agency can not sue you in court to recover the debt. Unless of course you pay any amount towards the debt then the clock resets and they can sue you in court. Type up a letter advising the debt collector that the statute of limitations in your state has been exceeded and not to contact you again in the future concerning the debt or you will pursue legal action against the collection agency.

Did the finger heal properly? How much is the bill?? Do you plan on using the hospital or doctor in the future?

quote:

Originally posted by smithnsig:
I had an old bill from surgery for the anesthesiologist. It was years old. I never knew about it. The only reason I found it is because my credit rating went from 845 to 680. They were sending it to my childhood address. I got it resolved. They will ding your credit.

For something this old, notify the credit bureau to remove it, or ding their credit.

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For something this old, notify the credit bureau to remove it, or ding their credit

How do you ding someone's credit for a debt not paid?

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Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:

quote:

For something this old, notify the credit bureau to remove it, or ding their credit

How do you ding someone's credit for a debt not paid?

Credit bureaus receive reports from creditors, banks, card issuers, etc tax agencies, landlords who sign up for the services. Sometimes they check public records for judgments, liens, etc.

I doubt they express any opinion about the validity of the debt claim, or the accuracy of the information. Many times, when dings are found, it is the result of error, similar name, already paid but release not provided, etc.

I don’t make threats I am not completely prepared to act upon, but you might need to explain to someone reporting a debt like this to the bureau that there may be adverse consequences from their foolishness.

You might get jhe to write a letter. He writes real good letters, expensive, but real good.

It wasn't from Linebarger and Associates, was it?

quote:

Credit bureaus receive reports from creditors, banks, card issuers, etc tax agencies, landlords who sign up for the services. Sometimes they check public records for judgments, liens, etc.

I doubt they express any opinion about the validity of the debt claim, or the accuracy of the information. Many times, when dings are found, it is the result of error, similar name, already paid but release not provided, etc.

I don’t make threats I am not completely prepared to act upon, but you might need to explain to someone reporting a debt like this to the bureau that there may be adverse consequences from their foolishness.

You might get jhe to write a letter. He writes real good letters, expensive, but real good.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thank you for the information and help.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
It wasn't from Linebarger and Associates, was it?

Dewey, Cheatem and Howe...

I wouldn't disregard the notice but I wouldn't pay it either.
Call them if it's the hospital, send back a no debt owed letter if it's a collection agency because a non-reply can make a big mess.

What is a "no debt letter" ?

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
What is a "no debt letter" ?

It tells them to pound sand.

Basically, "I don't owe this -- there is no debt."

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because a non-reply can make a big mess.

Sometimes a reply can make a bigger mess. Right now it's not messy. It's a bill. Until it's reported to the credit bureaus or a lawsuit is imminent it doesn't mean a thing.

Any reply is a risk. Maybe you tell them to pound sand, they realize the error of their ways, and they start pounding. Or perhaps you respond, they realize you're alive, they've found a good address for you, they have your number on their caller ID, and they DO decide to actively attempt to collect the debt.

In the past I've ignored these types. A few have reported it, but a quick nastygram to the reporting bureaus gets it zapped lickety-split. You know who doesn't want to be named on a FDCPA suit? Credit bureaus.

One of the things that will restart the SOL is acknowledging the debt exists. You can't acknowledge that if you don't communicate with them.

I hope you properly file that (in the round file)

17 years? Nonsense. I wouldn't even respond.

If I did somehow respond, I would say something to the effect that my records show the bill was paid in full. And my records are better than your records. Try to prove otherwise.

quote:

Originally posted by rtquig:
Tonight after 5:00 pm I went thru the mail that was delivered today. There was a bill from a hospital that was dated 3/30/2001. As we look back, my son did break his finger back then. We had excellent insurance back then. My question is, would you pay that bill today 17 years later? Maybe the hospital screwed up the billing, but we don't keep records this far away from the event. And why contact us now? We have lived in the same house for 26 years now.
Are we obligated for a bill 17 years ago?
I did call their billing department which was already closed for the day.

Do not talk to them on the phone!! They will record the call. If they call again, ask them to pose any questions in writing. Or better yet, do not answer the phone! Anything important must be in writing.

quote:

Originally posted by zipriderson:
Curious, what's the amount? If you want to pay it, and it's 3rd party, it's negotiable.

For me, I wouldn't pay it. The original supplier has some obligation to bill and collect in a timely manner. To stick it to you this many years later because of their own administrative shortcomings is their problem, not yours.

They want $793.00.

quote:

Originally posted by calugo:
Is it a bill from the hospital or a bill from a debt collection agency? I wouldn't pay it either way since it's impossible to know after 17 years if it was paid by you or your insurance company. Check your state laws, each state is different, but most states have a 3 or 4 year statute of limitations on debt collection. The debt never goes away but after the statute of limitations period passes the collection agency can not sue you in court to recover the debt. Unless of course you pay any amount towards the debt then the clock resets and they can sue you in court. Type up a letter advising the debt collector that the statute of limitations in your state has been exceeded and not to contact you again in the future concerning the debt or you will pursue legal action against the collection agency.

The bill is from the "Childrens Hospital" not a collection agency. His pinky is bend, they were not able to get it completely straight. If IIRC is was a soccer accident.

How much is it?

quote:

Originally posted by Copefree:
How much is it?

$793. Two posts above ya'.

And heck no, I wouldn't pay that.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by Copefree:
How much is it?

$793. Two posts above ya'.

And heck no, I wouldn't pay that.

Ah, missed that.

Yea, not a chance I’d pay. Unless they could prove. A lot. And even then I’d put up a big fight.

No, but not sure I would just ignore it. Jallen or one of our other legal experts advice is how I would proceed.

But no I would not pay it and it is outrageous that they would send one.