If the question relates to a medical provider sending an account to collections even though payment was being made, it is within the legal right of the provider to do so.
Yes, though both will damage your credit report to some extent.
Medical billing is not currently a regulated occupation or business in and of itself. However, you can take a longer view. To the extent that most medical bills are sent to an insurer for payment, the manner in which the insurer handles the bill and either pays or denies payment, could come in the perview of the Department of Insurance. Again, though, medical billing is not, per se, regulated by the Department of Insurance.
Pay what you can/want- $5.00/month- If the debt is large enough, they may take you to court over it, but not likely. They will use all kinds of scare tactics, though. Once a debt goes into default, the entire balance is due. The original payment terms no longer apply. A collection agency, junk debt buyer, factoring company or any other creditor no longer has to accept payment of any kind. If they do, it is within their own discretion. There are also interest charges allowable under state law and well as the contract that orignally established the debt. Should a collection agency agree to accept partial payment(s) on the debt, such a decision would be based on business/profit considerations. Sorry to disagree, The CA will not accept a $5.00 payment, never happen. Any agreement should be in written form, signed by both parties.
There is no reason why they should not (unless there is a specific medical reason) though it is not compulsory.
Yes though it is some what rare and you should consider consulting a medical professional should this occur.
It depends on what you want to say. The article "a" places the focus on the specific payment being made, usually in a series of payments: "I made a payment only yesterday!" "I make a payment only when I think of it". Without the article, the focus is more diffuse, more general, and may even imply full payment: "You should make payment immediately." "I made payment as soon as I received the invoice." As is often the case, though, there is no hard-and-fast rule about which should be used when ...
Yes. You should try to clear as much as you can though.
It depends on what you want to say. The article "a" places the focus on the specific payment being made, usually in a series of payments: "I made a payment only yesterday!" "I make a payment only when I think of it". Without the article, the focus is more diffuse, more general, and may even imply full payment: "You should make payment immediately." "I made payment as soon as I received the invoice." As is often the case, though, there is no hard-and-fast rule about which should be used when ...
Medical claims processing varies really between carrier to carrier. Generally once a person puts their claim in they may receive payment within a week. There is the case though where it may take longer.
I think that medical care should be free because eventually everyone needs it. With the bad economy not everyone can afford it though. Medical care is something that should be free. If your an older person and you can't afford it then you are going to have a lot of problems and you won't be able to do anything about it.
You should always seek medical help immediately if you fell as though you have a medical problem. Its always better to be safe than sorry.
The statue of limitations for collecting a debt varies from state to state, but it usually corresponds with the credit reporting rules which is 7 to 10 years. Collection agencies find ways around this though by reselling the account to other collection agencies, thus reaging it and starting the SOL over.