🔺 r/personalfinanceuthrowra-_-arworht·16 days ago
Doctor’s office sent my $220 bill to collections and now they’re charging interest/fees. Is this allowed in NYS?
Hey everyone, I have a medical bill from earlier this year for around $220 from a non-hospital doctor affiliated with a major medical group chain. I tried paying the provider directly via their patient portal, phone, and in-person at the office, but they refused payment and told me the account was sent to a collection agency. The bill was removed from my portal after a few weeks, granted I should have been quicker but just been busy with personal life. I thought you had like 90 days to pay... The collection agency sent me a notice, with the original balance of around 230 and now they sent another with the balance $260ish, suggesting added interest or collection fees. A couple of questions, if anyone is familiar with NYS debt collection rules: Are collection agencies allowed to add interest/fees to medical bills in New York? What is the safest/best way to pay or resolve this? I want to pay the original amount (230), but I want written proof that paying it settles the entire account and voids the added fee. Should I send a formal dispute and conditional settlement letter via Certified Mail? My delay in the paying the collections agency is simply I don't trust them, and haven't had a…