Does Unpaid medical bills affect my credit scores?
144666
Absolutely, it does. If you want to get credit, those nasty medical bills need to be paid off. My suggestion would be for you to pick 1 or 2 bills per payday (depending on how much they are) and pay them. After a while, they'll be taken care of, and you will be able to get credit. Good luck!
622345
Joieanew, please tell the whole truth!\n\nIf you pay your bills, you have to hope that the creditor will do something about your negative credit report he placed.\n\nJust placing "Paid in Full" does NOT remove any additional bad marks, such as that it was in collections, or that there were late payments.\n\nTherefore, unless the item is completely deleted, or the entire status is changed to "Paid As Agree, Never Late", you will still have bad marks on your record, and it will still keep your credit score low.\n\nThat is why, if you plan to pay off your debt, make the creditor agree IN WRITING to remove any negative report from your record.  Yes, they can do it.  Yes, it's totally legal.
938030
yes they can.and its not just life insurance.i had a payment protection insurance.witch said it cover me for when i fall ill.and can not pay my credit card bills.But when i was ill.they look at the smallest detail.of my medical record.and refuse to pay because.i did not tell then that i was at the hospital 20 years ago.that i forgot about.that's what insurance companies are like take your money for years.and when its time to pay out they will find fault.with your claim so watch out.when you are filling out your insurance froms.one small thing wrong and they will not pay you so be careful.what you put on not put on the from.
1026608
No. If you have bad debt on your record already, and you don't pay anything off while your credit is "frozen", then it doesn't change. Besides, you can't really freeze your credit. Utility bills and mortgage payments also go on credit histories, and you can't quit paying those.
443267
Pay your bills by the due date. (even if it is the minimum) any thing paid after the due date reduces your rating. \nEg: R1 is the best rating.  R9 (written off) is the worst. \nThe scores will worsen, as you delay your payment. \nR2 means you paid past the due date but less than 30 days \nR3 means you paid past the due date but more than 30 to 60\nR4 60 to 90...and so on.\n\nReduce the number of credit cards you have.\n\nDo not apply for every card out there. (you will be known as a "credit seeker")\n\nNever stop paying a creditor eg: write something off.\n\nIf you are in debt, seek a credit counselling service, they can help you bring it down, but this will affect your rating. \nBankruptcy will affect your rating.\n\nYou should contact equifax, to review a copy of your credit rating, to ensure that there are not errors. (it will be your responsibility and time/money to straighten out any mistakes).\n\nAnything you do...good or bad, will remain on your rating (credit score) for 7 years.  \n\nGood luck.
1155970
The reason medical bill debt destroys your credit even though it isn't in the same category as other credit is simple: the medical providers have the right to obtain judgments against you.  Once those are in place, any other judgment creditors will have to compete with the medical providers to collect if they, too, end up having to sue to collect debt.  \n\nThus, unfortunately, whether you asked for the problem or not, having judgments or the risk of future judgments against you makes you a poor candidate to extend credit to.
41342
Maybe, it depends on what kind of debt it is.  There are a number of different time frames for items to be removed from your credit report.  Inquiries remain on your credit report for 2 years. Delinquencies, collection accounts, charge-off accounts, chapter seven bankruptcy, and paid tax liens remain on your credit report for 7 years. Chapter thirteen bankruptcy remains on your credit report for 10 years. Unpaid tax liens remain on your credit report for 15 years. This information came directly from the credit bureau.  If you feel the information on your credit report is too old to still be reported, you should file a dispute with the credit bureau directly.
344354
Absolutely not. Most medical facilities are not allowed to refuse treatment to you even if you cannot pay. Though depending on the circumstance, they may be able to refuse to set another appointment until payment is made (i.e. the dentist)\nI imagine that this facility is using this as a sort of "scare tactic" to prevent people from not paying. However, you are entitled to have a certain amount of time to make a payment. If you cannot make the payment in full you are entitled to make a payment arrangement. If you are sending them a reasonable amount of money each month to try an pay off your bills, they cannot even take you to court over the issue. If they harass you for a higher payment which you are unable to make you can accuse them of harassment.\nIt seems like so many companies try to bully people these days. Please know your rights when it comes to your bills. \nYou are protected under the Fair Debt Collections Practice Act. Though these laws apply to collection agencies, I am certain they would also apply to anyone trying to collect a debt, including your hospital.\nCheck out the link below.
856252
Yes, I have disputed and had the negatives removed, but the negatives were inaccurate. Sometimes it is best to "let laying dogs sleep" if the negative is old and accurate. By disputing the claim, you are refreshing the memory that you have an accurate debt with the creditor and since they will be updating the bureaus, your credit score could slightly drop since the account will look like it has had recent activity. Plus, if the creditors start to contact you since you reminded them of the debt, you will have to be careful with what you do so that you don't lengthen the statue of limitations (allowing them to have a chance to sue you for a longer period of time).
303968
Your credit can be affected by just about anything, from Utility bills, cell bills.....all kinds of things.  Anytime you have something you pay on, monthly, bi-monthly, if it's paid late that company can report it to the credit agencies.  Also no credit can sometimes be just as bad as bad credit.  So have him do some research.  Did he pay his water, gas or electric bill late, order anything from a catalog and pay late or not at all......has he paid his cell bill late, get any speeding and/or parking tickets that weren't paid on time?  Even over drawing a checking or savings account can show up.
253417
How old is your son?  If he's under 18 why are they billing him?  \n\nIf this is the only negative hit on his credit report, I would suggest you contact the hospital (don't mess with the collection agencies) and work out a payment plan.  But ONLY if they agree to remove any mention of the debt from the credit report.  Otherwise, what's the point in paying the bill?
642286
Probably from a loan shark.  Good lenders do not lend amounts like this to people with poor credit because the risk is too high.  Of course it depends on why your credit is bad.  Medical bills are often forgiven, but slow pays and late pays look horrible.  If you have defaults or worse then you are like a pariah and they won't want to touch you.  The only people that will offer you a loan is a company looking to extort a massive amount of interest from you to cover the risk of dealing with you in the first place.
827585
Only if they've levied a tax lien.If the IRS have not reported this to your credit bureaus by way of a lien,then no.If they have issued a lien that can even effect your bank account.Unpaid tax liens stay on your reports longer than even bankruptcy.Unpaid tax liens are up to 15 years where as most debts are only 7.If you do settle the lien make sure you get copies of all three of your bureau reports and dispute them,as the creditor doesn't always remove them.\nhttp://finance.yahoo.com/creditreports
639111
the best advice is not to avoid the phone call from the bill collectors.  call them and explain honestly the situation - see if they can offer a payment plan that you can afford.  if they are not willing to work with you, go to a credit counseling service - they will offer advice free of charge.  also, check with your state on affordable health insurance - many states have implented programs so that no one has to go uninsured.  try calling city hall to see if they have such programs.  hope that helps.  best of luck.
8348
Yes they can and they do. Most of the times, the doctors office calls the insurance companies to verify insurance and to make sure the particular treatment you are getting done is covered. They also make you sign documents that if the insurance does not pay, you are liable to pay, and they make sure you do. They can even have collection agency on you to recover if you do not pay.
880337
The only thing that affects your credit score is when a creditor at your request pulls your credit report, such as when you apply for credit, or when you don't pay your bills on time or at all.
246842
Only if you stop paying off your credit cards . . . it will.  Keep your payments up and it will not affect your credit score.