Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Re: A notice from a collection agency

First, rest assured you are not the only person to have this happen to you. Medical providers are absolutely terrible when it comes to billing. I, like you, do my best to pay every bill when it comes due, and yet from time to time I won't be billed by the provider, and the first notice I get is from a collection agency (even from friends who are doctors, and know me personally). So, the good news is that most first-blush medical collection agencies are non-reporting agencies. In other words, though it has gone to collections, they are not yet reporting it as such. I would first call the collection agency, and explain that you never received a bill. Also, ask them if they have reported this yet. If they have, you need to send a letter disputing the reporting - on the basis that you were never billed for the debt in the first place. They are not required to send a second "reminder" notice, but they do have to have billed it and you failed to pay it before they report it to the credit agencies. I would also pay it immediately directly to the provider. Then, follow that up with a call to the provider indicating it has been paid, and that you want them to contact the collection agency immediately to cease all collection activities. Good luck - I know that this is extremely frustrating, but hopefully it has not yet been reported to your credit report.

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