i am disputing the gathering agency because they’ve the flawed amount due to the fact they aren’t deducting what I paid to the medical institution (unique creditor), however i am puzzled, did the medical institution sell this debt because i am being harrassed via another agency fully. My question is, it felony for the gathering agency to collect on a debt whilst the original creditor is accepting fee?
Debt Collections » Questions » Can a collection agency collect on a debt that is being paid through the original creditor?
google some collection agency help sites and ask on there, lots of good consumer sites out there
I think it is legal, but Collection Agencies have a policy that once a debt is turned over to them, the original creditor cannot collect on it (or it violates the agreement between them).
Most health care places hand their collection efforts off to agencies as a money saving measure. So, they probably did this.
Going forward, I would make payments to the agency, but send a letter to the hospital telling them you are doing this. In addition, DO NOT pay the agency what you have paid to the hospital. Tell them that you paid it to the hospital and that they need to contact the hospital to update the status of the account.
Do you have an actual agreement with the medical provider for a payment plan or are you just sending small payments tothe hospital?
There is no such thing as ‘good faith’ payments. The hospital does not have to accept whatever small payment you send. If they don’t agree with your payment plan, they can take those small payments and still turn you over to collections.
Typically medical providers assign unpaid bills to collection agencies after 3 months. Some will accept payment plans but only if the bill is paid within 3 to 6 months. Medical providers are not set up to deal with collections and installment payments.
You should deal with the collection agency. Provide receipts for the payments you made so it can be deducted from the balance.