<prompt> Human: As the title states, I have two accounts in collections from a medical bill from about ending 2010, beginning 2011 got one x-ray and got roped into a Cat-Scan. I was living on my own at this time, about 18 years old and didnt know what to do. Didnt have insurance or anything like that. One account said it was opened April 2013 and last reported Sep 2015, and the balance on it is about 5,900. The other account was opened Dec, 2011 and was last reported Mar, 2013. That account is about 240. I could almost pay the balances, however that would literally wipe me dry and I would never put myself into a financial burden like that. Is there any way I could apply for some sort of financial assistance or anything like that? Would it be worth to contact the hospital and go through them? Or is it too late and I would have to go through the collection companies? Both collections are through different companies it seems. Should I just pay the 240 straight up and try to strike a deal with the collections for the 5,900 amount? What would be my best course of action to get this off my credit report?Edit:Wow this blew up fast... Im getting a lot of different feedback which I like. Will keep looking for more. It seems like the two biggest ones seem to be either:A. Try to contact the hospital and see if they can do anything. If they cant, then contact the collections agency and see if they do a pay to delete or negotiate the 5900 debt down.B. Basically just keep living like the debts dont exist and wait for them to fall out of the statute of limitations then tell collections to kiss my ass.I thought the statute of limitations starts when you were first hit with the bill? Or does it start from the first day the collections account is opened?And to be clear, I more want to just get rid of these debts to get rid of them rather than get rid of them just to help my credit  <response>: Former financial assistance worker at a hospital. YES, definitely call the hospital. If insurance wont cover it, hospitals are much more inclined to offer financial assistance to get some of the amount back rather than charging the whole bill and getting nothing. Worst thing that can happen is that they say no. 