Still collect on medical bills?

[oregon03]

We are going through small claims court due to us not being able to pay a medical bill. A collection agency is taking us to small claims for a bill close to $1,100. Almost $400 of it is agency fees. The doctor who we saw isn't even practicing in the state anymore. Can they still try to collect on it even if the physician no longer has an active license in the state? The physician worked in a clinic with around 4+ other physicians.

Any advice for someone who is having financial hardships due to an overwhelming amount of medical bills, facing small claims and/or a collection agency? Never done this before and unfortunately I'm the one with the name on the bills (wife/mother)that they're going after and afraid can't get husband to do any defending. I'm really nervous since I feel like its all an uphill battle.

 

[tpajet]

Just because the doctor doesn't practice doesn't matter. He did at the time the patient saw him, and there was an agreement to pay at that time.

Have you tried to work out a payment plan with them in the past? The best thing to do at this point is go to court if you can't settle it with them, and explain to the judge that you can't afford this all at once, that you'd be willing to send it in payments. Also if you did try to work out a payment plan, and they refused, explain this to the judge, and tell the judge that if the company had worked with you, there wouldn't be the extra $400 in fees, and so you feel that you shouldn't owe that.

It's going to be up to the judge, but they should realize that you can't get blood front a turnip.