Union City, TN asked in Collections for Tennessee

Q: Can a collection agency keep pursuing me for money. Despite the fact my insurance company told them I don't have to pay?

A collection agency has been sending me letters since January for a debt for a Hospital Emergency Room from November 1, 2015. I did set up a payment plan. And file through it through my insurance company a claim regarding the debt because I was insured at the time. But at the time of the incident were I was at the emergency room I was detained by law enforcement for Public Intoxication and could not even remember my name. I did talk to two Bluecross Blueshield representatives. Both of which informed me and dialed to the agency I was not responsible because there is a time period. However they keep sending me letters saying I still owe them. The last time me and a representative called the collector told her the last representative I spoke with and him came up with the conclusion that since I was intoxicated then I am responsible, but bluecross had something different in their notes.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Answered
  • Collections Lawyer
  • Columbia, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: Yes, they can try to collect from you. Collection agencies ( some, not all) have been known to try all kinds of tricks and shady practices in order to get a person to pay- they really are not concerned about whether you legally owe the debt, they are just concerned with what it takes in order to get you to pay. Some people will pay just to make them stop the collection process. I suggest ignoring them completely- if you respond in any way, that confirms to them that you are still alive, living at the same address, aware of the debt, etc. The only thing NOT to ignore is when you get legal papers ( maybe called a "summons" or a "civil warrant') from a court which means you have been sued. At that point, you can go to court and present your case that you don't owe this bill. NOTE- from what you have described, it appears to me that you DO owe the bill ( you received medical services which are not free).

Having medical insurance ( and the insurance company's decision to pay or not pay) is not a legal defense to the debt you owe for those services.

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