Medical bills piling up … should I pay or wait?

I owe over $5,000 in medical bills from my family’s hospital visits last year.
If I ignore them and let them go to collections, will my credit score get hurt?
Also, if it goes to collections, is there any chance of negotiating for less? Or can I just keep ignoring them without it ruining my credit?

Update: The hospital said charity care isn’t an option since I have insurance, so that’s not helping.

Medical debt doesn’t show up on credit reports anymore. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shared this news. CFPB announcement

There’s a new law signed by Biden that removes medical debt from credit reports, so it won’t impact your credit anymore.

Lake said:
There’s a new law signed by Biden that removes medical debt from credit reports, so it won’t impact your credit anymore.

Do you know if there are other consequences for not paying though?

@Max
It depends on your location. Where I live, they can sue and garnish your wages or even take money from your bank account.

Zion said:
@Max
It depends on your location. Where I live, they can sue and garnish your wages or even take money from your bank account.

So it sounds like letting it go to collections and trying to negotiate is the way to go? Even if the law changes, paying the debt off within a year wouldn’t hurt my credit, right?

@Max
I’m not sure. You should talk to a lawyer or a debt relief expert for advice on that.

I’m a bit confused. How do you have medical debt from multiple family members?

Galen said:
I’m a bit confused. How do you have medical debt from multiple family members?

It’s from my child, my husband, and myself. It was a rough few months.

Max said:

Galen said:
I’m a bit confused. How do you have medical debt from multiple family members?

It’s from my child, my husband, and myself. It was a rough few months.

Got it. I saw ‘family’ and thought extended relatives. If the bills go to collections under your name, then yeah, it could hurt your credit. If it’s only your husband listed as responsible, it might only affect him, but I’m not 100% sure. If you can work out a payment plan, that could help.

I’ve had 23 surgeries since I was 11, most of them after I turned 18. Back then, you couldn’t stay on your parent’s insurance until 26. I try to set up payment plans. Even though medical debt doesn’t affect credit now, do you know when that rule actually starts? My current debt is $6,000 because of a genetic condition. I pay $125 a month and try to use tax refunds to pay chunks of it off. I don’t want my wages garnished.

@Alva
It’s so unfair that people have to pay so much for necessary medical care. Maybe a charity could help in your situation?

Hayes said:
@Alva
It’s so unfair that people have to pay so much for necessary medical care. Maybe a charity could help in your situation?

The only help I’ve gotten is from HCAP, which is income-based. I didn’t ask for this condition, and I’ve already filed for bankruptcy once. Now that I own a home, I can’t go through that again. I’ve paid over $150,000 in deductibles so far.

@Alva
That’s wild! Not everyone can manage that kind of expense. You must have incredible discipline.

Hayes said:
@Alva
That’s wild! Not everyone can manage that kind of expense. You must have incredible discipline.

Honestly, I can’t really manage it. I just pay the minimum, usually around $150–$250 a month. During tax season, I pay off larger chunks, but it’s still hard. I avoid surgeries unless it’s absolutely necessary, like for pain or potential cancer. My kids qualify for Medicaid, so at least there’s that.

@Alva
Have you looked into hospital charity programs? Maybe they have more options?

Hayes said:
@Alva
Have you looked into hospital charity programs? Maybe they have more options?

Just HCAP so far, but it’s based on income. It does help a little.

Alva said:

Hayes said:
@Alva
Have you looked into hospital charity programs? Maybe they have more options?

Just HCAP so far, but it’s based on income. It does help a little.

Got it. Thanks for explaining.

Hayes said:
@Alva
That’s wild! Not everyone can manage that kind of expense. You must have incredible discipline.

I try to keep my medical debt under $10,000 so that when I pass, I can leave something for my kids. Once they’re grown and stable, I’ll just let the condition take me.