Took me 6 months to realize my credit score drop was from a $47 medical bill I ignored

I got a bill from a random clinic last year and tossed it thinking it was a mistake. It went to collections and my score dropped 80 points before I even knew what happened. How long did it take you guys to figure out a small debt wrecked your credit?

3 comments

3 Comments

fiona_west211mo ago

Blame yourself honestly, you ignored a bill you KNEW was real and then acted surprised when it bit you. Its your responsibility to check your mail and handle your debts, not the clinics job to chase you down for 47 bucks.

janah831mo ago

Saw something the other day about how medical billing is deliberately confusing to trap people, @fiona_west21. A 47 dollar bill can end up costing way more just cause the system is rigged against regular folks.

riley_wood841mo ago

Used to think like @fiona_west21 actually. Paid my bills on time never missed a thing. Then my kid had a simple ER visit for a fever. Got a bill for $150. Paid it. A year later got a letter from collections for $470. Turns out there was a “facility fee” and a “professional fee” billed separate. No follow up no warning just straight to collections. Changed my whole view on this.