Sent to collections after a month

[Nia2]

Can a hospital put you through collections if the bill is just a month old? I went to the Emergency Room on April 31st cuz I was having some bad stomach pains and was bleeding. I don't have insurance. They did tests and did an ultrasound and found I have cysts on my ovaries but can't do anything at this time, not even for all the pain I"m in. Anyways, I just got my first bill a few wks ago, and I called and made $30 payment arrangements which the lady I talked to said that was fine, then I get a letter in the mail the next wk saying that if I don't pay what they want a month they will turn me into collections. I make $7 and have two kids to take care of and I'm doing the best I can to pay this bill off,it's like $1300. It's not even past due and I already sent in some money when I got my bill, so I don't understand why they can't accept what I can pay, or how they can turn me in, when I'm making what I'm able to pay each time. Is this legal, can they just turn me in, if I'm paying what I"m able to? I don't think it's fair.

[old_woman_84]

Go to the hospital. Talk to the personnel in "financial assistance". You may get your hospital bill canceled. They will ask your income and dependents. If you qualify, the hospital will cancel what you owe them. Good LuckNote: The doctors won't cancel what you owe them however.

[Rae]

I am a Medical Biller and if you made payment arrangements and agreed to $30 a month then paid less than that, yes they have the right to turn you in. I would suggest calling & talking to a sup, explain your situation. But please understand, w/out insurance alot of people just bail on the bill so we are apt to be more aggressive. Everytime someone skips on a bill it make dthe cost of ER visits etc. go up. I'm not saying that you would do that but we as billers are seeing the rising cost of care due to "skips". However, my boss would NEVER turn a person if they were trying and keeping CONSTANT contact with us. Good Luck!