A {$600.00} medical bill for treatment of my wife, not me, was sent to collection. The only way I found out about it was when I did the free annual credit report. I told the debt collector that it was not for me, they said the medical service provider chases the insured name and not the person who signs the form at the doctors office. My sister happens to manage a medical office and she verified that the service providers XXXX the insurance that was used, and not the person who signs the form accepting responsibility. What is the point of having a patient sign that form if they doctor chases the insurance? The system is horrible and biased in favor of the insurance/doctor/bill collector. If any one of them had sent me a certified letter explaining the facts I surely would have resolved this MINOR ISSUE. The law should REQUIRE at least certified mail before an allegedly unpaid bill tarnishes a person 's credit score. I had perfect credit all of my life until this unwarranted, unfair, and uncalled for blemish marred my credit score. My reputation has been slandered by the doctor 's office, the insurance, and the bill collector, and they walk away scott free. It is way too easy for them to throw out claims without any substantiation. They ought to be ashamed of themselves, especially for the bill collectors who are bottom feeders and bullies anyway! I know that N.Y. has recently made some slight improvements regarding medical bills. That 's great, but what does that bill become when sent to a collection firm? The federal government must do what states can not or will not do. 
This happened several years ago, so my letter is more of a cautionary tale, than any request for assistance. On the other hand, if there is any action I can take now I would be very interested in learning what that might be. Thank you. God knows we need all the help we can get to fight against the many unethical, though maybe legal, practices exercised by firms today.