USA debt question
Discussion
I had a hospital stay in January this year in America. I gave them all of my info and didn't hear anything. My friends in America told me not to worry as it often takes months for an invoice to be raised.
Yesterday I was contacted by an American company called 'MCO collections' who didn't appear to be part of the hospital. They were collecting on behalf of them the cost of my treatment.
However, I have had no invoice and they couldnt provide me with a copy, only an amount owed. They say they are not allowed to call or post internationally (my girlfriend in the US was the one they contacted, so I called them back from the UK).
My question is - is a debt going to a 'collection company' as bad/the same as in the UK? I hadn't recieved any invoice so clearly couldn't pay it - I have now referred them to my insurance company who agreed to pick up the treatment cost when I set up the claim (before going in).
I can pay it, but would much sooner it went straight through my insurance as without an invoice it will be a nightmare for me to claim back (mid 4 figures).
I assume the hospital didnt invoice me in London as they werent allowed to post internationally, but couldnt get an answer on this!
My question is - Will I now have a black mark or 'bad credit' if I move to the US, which is the medium term plan?
Yesterday I was contacted by an American company called 'MCO collections' who didn't appear to be part of the hospital. They were collecting on behalf of them the cost of my treatment.
However, I have had no invoice and they couldnt provide me with a copy, only an amount owed. They say they are not allowed to call or post internationally (my girlfriend in the US was the one they contacted, so I called them back from the UK).
My question is - is a debt going to a 'collection company' as bad/the same as in the UK? I hadn't recieved any invoice so clearly couldn't pay it - I have now referred them to my insurance company who agreed to pick up the treatment cost when I set up the claim (before going in).
I can pay it, but would much sooner it went straight through my insurance as without an invoice it will be a nightmare for me to claim back (mid 4 figures).
I assume the hospital didnt invoice me in London as they werent allowed to post internationally, but couldnt get an answer on this!
My question is - Will I now have a black mark or 'bad credit' if I move to the US, which is the medium term plan?
Did they have all the correct details to begin with?
It could be it's a rare situation and they don't know how to process it.
That said if they are using a collecting company I would be of the mindset that the hospital have tried all routes and cannot recover hence bring in the collection agency.
I had am issue recently with e-on, had moved and given them details etc but they made an error and didn't invoice me sent to wrong address I guess. Anyway they tracked me down for the huge sum of £10.53!!! Via a debt collection agency. I demanded an invoice they couldn't provide one and they said some rubbish about taking it further. I simply called up e-on directly went through the issue they emailed and posted me the invoice which once I verified I paid. Note it didn't impact my credit score.
The collection agency though were very blunt kind of aggressive and under no circumstances would they give any further info. Nor would they listen nor take note of the issue I had - simply provide me with the invoice.
It could be it's a rare situation and they don't know how to process it.
That said if they are using a collecting company I would be of the mindset that the hospital have tried all routes and cannot recover hence bring in the collection agency.
I had am issue recently with e-on, had moved and given them details etc but they made an error and didn't invoice me sent to wrong address I guess. Anyway they tracked me down for the huge sum of £10.53!!! Via a debt collection agency. I demanded an invoice they couldn't provide one and they said some rubbish about taking it further. I simply called up e-on directly went through the issue they emailed and posted me the invoice which once I verified I paid. Note it didn't impact my credit score.
The collection agency though were very blunt kind of aggressive and under no circumstances would they give any further info. Nor would they listen nor take note of the issue I had - simply provide me with the invoice.
Thanks WB. They did indeed have all of my details (and details of a US contact) but didnt send an invoice to either of us.
Hopefully the insurance will pay without issue (they are rebilling them now) and it wont cause any future problems! Especially as its linked to my passport - no way I want that conversation at immigration!
Hopefully the insurance will pay without issue (they are rebilling them now) and it wont cause any future problems! Especially as its linked to my passport - no way I want that conversation at immigration!
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