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Pro tip: never ignore a collections notice from a local doctor's office in Austin
I let a $60 copay slip through the cracks last summer (I know, stupid move). Six months later, that same little bill ended up on my credit report as a collection account. My score dropped 85 points just like that, over a single visit I'd totally forgotten about. Called the doctor's office the moment I saw the alert, paid them directly, and asked if they could pull the collection back. They said it was already with a third party agency though, so now I'm stuck negotiating with some random company. Has anyone else had luck getting a medical collection removed after paying the original provider?
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patricia2621mo ago
Nah that HIPAA violation angle is fear mongering. They have a legal right to report accurate medical debt to credit agencies, paid or not.
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lily_torres311mo ago
Nah but here's the thing nobody talks about - if you pay the original doctor directly, the collection agency still owns the debt. They bought it for pennies. So now they're mad you paid their easy money source. I had a similar situation with a dental bill in Round Rock. Paid the dentist, thought I was good. Collection agency still came after me for the full amount plus fees. Had to get a lawyer to write them a letter citing the Texas Medical Debt Collection rules. Took three months but it finally got off my report. You might need to threaten them with HIPAA violations too since they're sharing your medical info without permission technically.
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foster.tessa1mo ago
Wait, they can still come after you for the full amount even after you paid the doctor?
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