Advice Needed...post filing medical bills

[jherron]

I am hoping someone can give me some advice. I had to have an MRI earlier this year. My insurance only paid a small portion of it, so I was left with this huge bill. I paid what I could each much but apparently it wasn't enough to keep the hospital from turning me over to collections. When the collection agency called they set up a payment plan of $193/month. I knew I couldn't afford it...well stupid me, I agreed to it. I don't know what it is but when I talk to collectors I freak out (big mistake on my part). I owe $285. So, my question is should I call the collection agency and ask if they can work with me on the remaining balance? Should I explain to them that I filed Ch 13 BK prior to this and I am living on a very very strict budge and can only afford $50/month? I'm just so confused and don't know what to do. I want to pay them off...I just can't afford the payment plan that I agreed to.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[lrprn]

When the collection agency called they set up a payment plan of $193/month. I knew I couldn't afford it...well stupid me, I agreed to it. I don't know what it is but when I talk to collectors I freak out (big mistake on my part). I owe $285.

Did you agree to the payment verbally? Or did you sign an agreement?

Some help the collection agency was. Pay 2/3 of the bill one month and the rest the next. Sheesh.....

You can only pay what you can. You do owe the bill because it's post-filing. Have you talked with your lawyer about seeing if your trustee will allow you to pay a reduced payment for one month so you can pay this bill off?

So, my question is should I call the collection agency and ask if they can work with me on the remaining balance? Should I explain to them that I filed Ch 13 BK prior to this and I am living on a very very strict budge and can only afford $50/month?

You can try it, but it isn't likely to do any good. I would try working with your lawyer first to see if your trustee will agree to allowing you to pay this bill off in full instead.

I want to pay them off...I just can't afford the payment plan that I agreed to.

Since you know you have a weakness when talking with creditors and collectors, you are the person who needs to allow their phone to just ring without picking up. If you have an answering machine, let the machine pick it up.

There's no rule that says you have to talk to creditors or collectors when they call. They are expert at getting you to pay them any way they can, as you have discovered.

If you feel you just have to answer, allow them to identify themselves, say "I can't pay you now", and quietly hang up the phone, even if they are still talking. Then let the phone ring and ring if they call back. Believe me, they are not your friends and shouldn't be treated as such.

[jherron]

The agreement was made verbally on the phone. I haven't talked to my attorney yet, but will call him today. How does it work when your BK payment is made through payroll deduction? My payments are taken out every two weeks. Does the trustee send in something to my employer?

Thanks lrprn for your response.