@Footloose - my apologies for not being clearer in my statement. I was talking about the statute of limitations of the Consumer Reporting Act. If Footlose acknowledges the debt in writing, a case can be made for reporting it to the credit bureau for seven years from that acknowledgement. http://www.search.e-laws.gov.on.ca/en/isysquery/63532e30-5386-495f-b728-697c9db84efd/1/doc/?search=browseStatutes&context=#hit1

I sincerely doubt legal action is likely for $1000, as the cost of undertaking a small claims court action would be $300+ in court costs, and as hospitals rely on private donations would negatively impact their public image.

@SouthAmerican - I have not done collections for North York General Hospital, but I have for several other Ontario hospitals, and none of them report the item in a Tradeline item, and need the services of a collection agency to affect someone's credit rating.

A tradeline item is typically a recurring item such as a credit card, loan, or line of credit, which is reported by the original consumer each month, and is assigned a monthly and overall score such as R1, O1, or I1.

However, when a collection agency registers an item, it appears in the registered item section, where judgments, bankruptcies, and collection items appear. So, your debt might appear as:

Mar11 Nov08 ABC COLLECTIONS/NORTH YORK GEN HOSP 1100 1100

It has no actual rating, but just shows as a collection item with a balance still outstanding.

I would suggest contacting both the hospital and collection agency -- if either agrees to a settlement, you are better off.

@Footlose - Excellent advice about establishing a credit rating with a secured credit card! Another good place to get a secured credit card is Home Trust (www.hometrust.ca)

if it isnt too much trouble

what is the difference between Open and Tradeline?

also, why would I have to get a secured credit card if I have no credit history?....doesnt everybody start without a credit card untill they apply for one? and then they buld credit as time goes?

I will most definetly look in to this capital one card tho

I just got a message from the apartment people and they say I can come in tomorow to sign the lease and get the keys :)

@bwettlauffer

This debt was incurred 3.5 years ago at the North York General Hospital in Toronto; therefore the SOL has long passed. By making any acknowledgment of this debt in writing or by making any payment on this debt will NOT re-start the Limitation period of 2 years.

If any rating is assigned to this debt it will show as an "O" rating meaning "Open" and not as a "Tradeline".

@SouthAmerican

If you are trying to rent an apartment, the landlord will in all probability pull a Credit Report with your authorization only to find that your have NO credit history. This in all probability may prevent you from obtaining accommodation Do yourself a favour. Contact Capital One and request a SECURED credit card. For a deposit of $300, they will issue you a credit card for a credit limit of $300. Use it every month to purchase some groceries even if it is for only $50. Be sure to pay the balance off every month ON TIME before the due date. Do NOT carry a balance forward from month to month. In this way, you will start to build up a credit history which will make it easier for you to obtain credit, including credit cards in the future. Your Credit Score is more important than a clean driving record. If you are careful how you use your credit card, it won't be long before you will be enjoying GOOD credit like many others.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Educating one Consumer at a time

so you think its better to contact the hospital and deal with them instead of the collection agency?

also what is the difference between this one time collection thing and the trade line?

my credit is not R9? is it worst than that?

thats all I have on my credit report, nothing else, good or bad

I am working and would like to pay for this

I dont know how I feel about paying in full, I feel like they screwd me a little bit for having said it would be covered by ohip and then sending it to a C.A. and they collected a LOT of interest

I never liked credit cards but it is important for work related stuff now

thanks for your response by the way

Yes, non-OHIP covered hospital services are expensive. Your credit report will show this as a registered item from a collection agency as a one-time debt, rather than a trade item (R1, R9, etc).

Hopsitals rely on public goodwill, and might be willing to negotiate a settlement, especially if you reach out to them. However, if you put an offer in writing, you may re-start the SOL, so I would limit your approach to a verbal offer.

If they agree to a settlement, get a conditional letter of release before you commit to paying anything.

As for riding out the SOL, that's a good question -- you are already half-way there. It really depends on your financial situation, your overall credit bureau profile, your need for credit over the next three years. But you are right to think about this.

Hope this helps.

Hi everybody

3 and a half years ago I went back to Brazil for personal reasons
at the time i had just immigrated here and I had no OHIP card also I had an accident at work (doing a private job) and had to go to a hospital...I was told at the time that all I had to do was present them my ohip card when i got it and I wouldnt be charged anything...I had to leave canada before getting the card or settling the bill
I am now back in Canada (Ontario) I am trying to lease an apartment and was wasked to do a credit report

My credit report shows a delinquent account for north york general hospital, just under 1.000,00 it just says delinquent no R anything, I'm assuming its a R9, right?
Also after reading a LOT of the postings here I am ubber confused
Should I pay this now? If so should I pay in full? Will it change to a R something else other than 9? Will I not get approved for a credit card even if I pay? Should I just wait another 3 years untill SOL kicks in? Can I try to make a deal with a hospital bill? Does SOL applyes to hospital bills?
I read somewhere that I can have a note put on my credit report do you guys think I can have it explain my lack of OHIP card at the time? Would such a note make any difference when applying for a credit card? my report doesnt show the collections agencies name, just a reference number for that...how do i find out who's got it?

thank you for your time and please excuse any speling mistakes