• TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee
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          11 months ago

          Yeah after 7 years it falls off your credit report.

          On top of that, most major credit bureaus don’t even calculate small medical debts(less than 1k I think) under $500 against your credit score.

          I mean don’t quote me on this, verify.

          OK so I got home and did a quick google to fact check myself, here is the article regarding the subject from experian: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/can-medical-bills-affect-credit-report/

          Notably it falls off your credit report 7 years after the delinquency date- meaning whenever it was originally due, not when it was sent to the credit agencies and not when it went to collections.

          From transunnion: https://www.transunion.com/blog/credit-advice/how-long-do-collections-stay-on-your-credit-report

          Medical collection debt with an initial reported balance under $500 and paid medical collection debt no longer appears on credit reports.

          • Mario_Dies.wav@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            11 months ago

            I wish I would have known this when I thought my life was over after having appendicitis the one year of my life I couldn’t afford insurance. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll keep it in mind.

            I’ve got to say there’s no way my debt would ever be less than $1k though. I’m pretty sure my deductible is $5k, but I’ve also given up on the whole credit score thing. I always get emails that it’s dropped or whatever, and I’m just numb to it at this point it’s just background noise

            • TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee
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              11 months ago

              I edited my reply above with some sources.

              The credit score system is bullshit, but it can be played. I opened like 13 credit accounts in my early 20s and keep them rotated, because of that my total line of credit is ridiculous. I don’t use it all very much, but on paper it makes my credit utilization look like 1-2% of my total limit, which raises my score significantly.

              • Mario_Dies.wav@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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                11 months ago

                So those sources say it doesn’t stay on your credit report, but I’m not really concerned about that. My credit score is consistently dogshit, and I’ve given up on it. I don’t really care about my credit score at all.

                What I’m concerned about are legal issues, wage garnishment, and other things that would directly affect me and harm me. If I just don’t pay, wouldn’t they seek legal action against me? I’m almost certain they would, and I’m pretty sure that doesn’t change after 7 years.

                Edit: I think I misread your comment. I see now that it does say “credit report.” For some reason, I misread that and thought you were saying the debt just disappears. So really, that wouldn’t help me much at all. I still need to be terrified of going to the doctor. One expensive trip could ruin my life.