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The week my credit score tanked over a $35 medical bill
Last month, I got a bill from a clinic in Austin for a $35 copay I thought was covered. I never saw the mail because I was out of town. Found out Tuesday my score dropped 60 points because it went to collections. It felt insane that such a small mistake could do so much damage. Has anyone else had a tiny bill wreck their credit like this?
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ross.kim3mo ago
$35 copay went to collections because you didn't check your mail for a month. I mean, that's on you, right? The clinic sent the bill, you ignored it (even by accident), and now the system did what it does. 60 points might sting, but it's not like they forged your signature or charged you for a surgery you didn't get. The credit bureaus aren't out here judging based on dollar amounts, they just track if you paid or not. Maybe you should've set up mail forwarding or checked your online account before you left town. The rules are the same for everyone, whether it's $35 or $35,000.
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abbyhall6mo ago
How is that even legal for thirty five bucks?
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max7166mo ago
It's a basic service with no frills. The price covers the bare minimum, which is all some people need. They're not breaking any laws by offering a cheap, stripped-down option. You get what you pay for.
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fionanguyen6mo ago
It's like buying a cheap umbrella that breaks in the rain, but hey, you knew the risk.
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