I have had an outstanding debt with a local medical group for 5 months. Their business hours are 8-5, though I've routinely called around 4 and received their closure message, and have called during the day and was on an endless hold.
I have a record of an email to their customer service department, in late September, complaining about my inability to reach anyone, and asking for help making a payment via CC that is different than mailing back the insecure paper invoice. They have no electronic method for making payment on their website or through their phone system.
I begrudgingly sent my credit card payment in to their office two days ago. Today, I receive a collection notice from an agency.
I'm a 800+ fico type, never miss payments, etc. I'm peeved at this companies lack of customer support, etc. but need to resolve the finances and then work on my missives to their execs.
So, I am now finding myself needing some advice of an area I have zero experience.
What do I do? Call their customer service center on Monday, and wait 8 hours if I have to on hold? Go down to their business? Call this credit collection agency? Does something like this go on my credit report? Call up my lawyer to handle?
premio158 said: I have had an outstanding debt with a local medical group for 5 months. Their business hours are 8-5, though I've routinely called around 4 and received their closure message, and have called during the day and was on an endless hold.
I have a record of an email to their customer service department, in late September, complaining about my inability to reach anyone, and asking for help making a payment via CC that is different than mailing back the insecure paper invoice. They have no electronic method for making payment on their website or through their phone system.
I begrudgingly sent my credit card payment in to their office two days ago. Today, I receive a collection notice from an agency.
I'm a 800+ fico type, never miss payments, etc. I'm peeved at this companies lack of customer support, etc. but need to resolve the finances and then work on my missives to their execs.
So, I am now finding myself needing some advice of an area I have zero experience.
What do I do? Call their customer service center on Monday, and wait 8 hours if I have to on hold? Go down to their business? Call this credit collection agency? Does something like this go on my credit report? Call up my lawyer to handle?
Thanks
Forget the calls, personal visits, and all the other drama BS you are suggesting about 8 hour phone call waits. YOU MAIL A LETTER to the colledtor "I dispute please validate". Thats it.
BTW I think you drummed up every possible BS excuse for not paying. When you dont pay your bills for 5 months, you get collection letters thats how it works.
premio158 said: I have had an outstanding debt with a local medical group for 5 months.
Pay your bills deadbeat.
premio158 said: Their business hours are 8-5, though I've routinely called around 4 and received their closure message, and have called during the day and was on an endless hold.
Yet you had managed to book an appointment with no problem...
premio158 said: They have no electronic method for making payment on their website or through their phone system.
And the other doctors you've been to, have online payment systems? Impressive!
OP, if you didn't want to mail your CC, you would have gone in person to pay (and not waste more time as you suggest on endless holds etc). If the med center processes the payment you obviously have to dispute. If you end up having to pay the collector, make sure to get in writing that by paying they will remove any negs... And pay your bills next time, if you don't agree with an establishments payment methods DON'T GO THERE.
Forget the calls, personal visits, and all the other drama BS you are suggesting about 8 hour phone call waits. YOU MAIL A LETTER to the colledtor "I dispute please validate". Thats it.
BTW I think you drummed up every possible BS excuse for not paying. When you dont pay your bills for 5 months, you get collection letters thats how it works.
Thanks, letter drafted and ready to be sent certified tomorrow. Does
Their 'local' billing office is a 2 hour drive from me . This isn't a small local provider; they are a conglomerate of many local physicians, hospitals, etc. There appears to be multiple 'regional' groups that have their own departments. Believe me I have tried to get this settled, while still fighting (stupidly it appears) on the principle of wanting some level of customer service. As per the comment to make an appointment, a simple trip the hospital ER was all that was needed to make this a 'choice' of which I didn't agree to their terms about not having valid payment methods.
Since this payment was already mailed and these letters crossed, what happens?
biomedeng
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2009 @ 12:56p
premio158 said: Since this payment was already mailed and these letters crossed, what happens? If the hospital/medical service provider accepts your payment (processes the charge) then the debt collector has no legal basis to collect a debt you have now satisfied with the original creditor. Wait and see if the credit card charge appears on your bill next week (my guess is that it will). If it does get a letter or invoice from the hospital saying the bill is paid in full and sent it to the collection agency IF they continue to harass you. If the collection agency reports a debt that you have already paid then read up on CN47's post on how to sue. Take a deep breath. Collection agencies typically do not immediately report a debt to the credit bureaus. Just sit back and wait a week and see if the hospital accepts your payment. If they refuse your payment come back for more advice or head to creditboards.
biomedeng said: Take a deep breath. Collection agencies typically do not immediately report a debt to the credit bureaus. Just sit back and wait a week and see if the hospital accepts your payment. If they refuse your payment come back for more advice or head to creditboards. bingo
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