 TITLE: How Can I Get Out of Medical Debt? CONTENT: How to Deal With Medical Debt Already in Collections\n----------------------------------------------------\nYour best defense is to engage with your provider early—before they send your account into collections. If a collection agency has already contacted you regarding your medical debt, follow this basic advice on dealing with collections:\n*   **Verify**: A collection agency is required to send you a written explanation of your bill within five days of your requesting it. Consider following the steps above to make sure your bill is accurate and up to date on insurance payments. This step should also help you avoid scammers by ensuring your bill is legitimate.\n*   **Dispute**: If you find errors in your billing or feel that you've been sent to collections in error, you can dispute the collections or contact your medical provider and\/or insurance company to discuss the issue.\n*   **Negotiate**: Collection agencies can work with you on repayment plans and may be willing to accept a reduced payout.\n*   **Resolve**: Although you want to reach a resolution with collections as quickly as possible, don't pay more than you owe or incur high-interest debt that will be difficult to repay. Take the time you need. END