When medical bills hit your mailbox, the financial stress can feel just as painful as the treatment itself. Debt resolution expert and attorney Greg Anjewierden joins us to break down how medical debt works, how it affects your credit, and how to defend yourself if you’re sued.Greg previously worked in medical debt collection—now he helps people fight back. In this episode, he shares insider knowledge on what collectors don’t want you to know.Sued for debt? Go to https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcast to resolve it.Greg explains why medical debt is often treated differently from credit card debt, including recent changes to credit reporting rules. Many consumers believe that if a medical debt isn’t on their credit report, it won’t hurt them—a dangerous myth. Greg clears up the confusion between credit reporting and debt collection, and explains why hospitals and collectors can still sue you, garnish wages, and freeze bank accounts, even if your debt is “under the radar.”You’ll learn how long medical debt stays on your credit report, what counts as a ‘valid’ medical debt, and how to find out if you qualify for financial assistance or interest-free payment plans. We discuss real-life settlement strategies and why many attorneys are more willing to compromise than third-party collectors.Whether you're facing a lawsuit over a hospital bill or simply trying to understand your rights, this episode offers a practical guide to protecting your credit and your peace of mind. Solo can help you respond to lawsuits and settle medical debts on your terms—no law degree required.[05:01] Medical debt is still collectible even if it doesn’t appear on your credit reportMany people assume if a medical bill isn’t on their credit report, it doesn’t matter—but you can still be sued and held legally responsible.[08:35] Start by contacting the medical provider directlyBefore dealing with debt collectors, ask the hospital or provider about charity care or interest-free payment plans to resolve the bill early.[11:20] Strategic silence can give you leverageIf negotiations stall, it might be smart to stop communication and wait for a lawsuit—then re-engage once you’re dealing with an attorney who may be more willing to settle.[15:33] Social Security is protected—but your bank account may not beDebt collectors can’t take Social Security directly, but they might access it if it's sitting in a bank account, so be cautious about where your money is kept.[25:30] You can still settle after a judgment is enteredEven if you lose in court, the creditor still has to collect—this gives you another opportunity to negotiate a lump-sum payment or better settlement.To submit a question to The Debt Hotline, you can:Call 801-613-8181 and leave a voicemailFill out this form: https://forms.gle/28gd4XFsq6ybN4Qu8 Send an email to [email protected] https://www.solosuit.com/?utm=podcast

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