Hi all, we had a baby in May 2024 (mazel tov!) and...
# randomq
quick-psychiatrist-1635
11/20/2025, 4:42 PMHi all, we had a baby in May 2024 (mazel tov!) and of the various bills from various providers, apparently I forgot to pay the anasthesiologist bill? It went to collections in August, I kinda ignored it, and last week it apparently went to civil court? They're asking the original $1600 and change, plus $60 in court fees.
Question: any suggestions about offering a settlement? For example, my wife is a playgroup morah making $400/week, and I'm currently between W2 jobs (I'll be fine B"H) - would that help? If so, any recommendations on how to present that - personally, through an attorney, and/or how to phrase it? I did get a suggestion today that, at the collections phase, I should have asked them to "prove it" which apparently automatically stops collections? Anyway. Thanks!
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tall-angle-89997
11/20/2025, 4:57 PMDid you have health insurance? If you’re in NJ or NYC, I believe both states have laws against surprise billing that may be able to help with that.
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quick-psychiatrist-1635
11/20/2025, 4:58 PMI live in NJ. Ostensibly, the bill did first go through insurance; it would have been much higher if it hadn't! I think I just missed it and/or forgot about it until a ~year later
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tall-angle-89997
11/20/2025, 5:00 PMAh. I don’t have any advice other than don’t ignore this otherwise they will rule against you by default. Good luck!
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incalculable-toothbrush-90475
11/20/2025, 5:02 PMDoes asking them to prove it automatically stop collections? Or it stops collections if they ignore your request?
incalculable-toothbrush-90475
11/20/2025, 5:03 PMI've tried sending a letter using @nutritious-raincoat-28876's template but they just responded with the information I requested
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tall-angle-89997
11/20/2025, 5:04 PMI think once it’s in civil court, it’s past collections.
tall-angle-89997
11/20/2025, 5:05 PMRegarding collections, I sent that template to a collections agency, and they told me they would pause collections, but didn’t indicate if they would resume them or not.
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alert-napkin-48631
11/20/2025, 8:07 PMYou can try asking here: https://www.marshallallenproject.org/ask-the-mac
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quick-psychiatrist-1635
11/20/2025, 8:28 PMthe AI tool suggests responding with a certified letter, including itemized codes, to make sure the prices are fair and accurate. It offered to generate a dispute letter, attached. (I edited some minor wording). They also suggest reaching out to a healthcare advocate; if someone can suggest someone specific, that would be helpful. Thanks again for all the guidance so far!
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clean-activity-38399
11/21/2025, 12:25 AMare you disputing the debt? sounded like you agree that you owe the money?
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quick-psychiatrist-1635
11/21/2025, 12:40 AMAs far as I can tell, that's standard template phraseology
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rich-insurance-32675
11/21/2025, 4:13 AMre: Health advocate, if this came from a hospital, there is usually one associated with them