Unfair medical debt collection

[ckiger]

On 10-17-07 a local doctor performed tests on my wife. We were never billed, or given the results. For over a year we tried to obtain the test results, no luck.

Finally on 3-6-2009 we received a statement showing that we owed $450.00. I again wrote a letter asking for the test results, no reply was received.

On 4-27 I received ANOTHER statement, and wrote ANOTHER letter.

Finally on 4-29 they called my home demanding immediate payment. When I told them we wanted the test results first they became very nasty, saying that they would send out the results, but that if we did not pay the full amount immediately they would place us for collection. (Our credit scores are well over 800 and we want to protect them)

My question is this - If I pay them a small amount each month can they still legally place us for collection, or would the monthly payment prevent this.

Chuck