<prompt> Human: So, Ive checked my credit score periodically over the past 2 years or so via Chase Journey and Mint, and its never gone above 530-ish. Little bit of background on me, Im 23, male, college student who has never taken out loans, and Ive applied for credit cards but never been accepted.Back in 2013, I was transported via ambulance from a doctors office to a hospital non life threatening and even though at the time I had insurance that was supposed to cover that, it did not. I was sent the bill for it and tossed it aside, not thinking much of it. Fast forward to now, its been submitted to a collections department and its accumulated to 5,318. I have a bad feeling that this bill has single-handedly kept my credit score from being able to rise.Does anyone have any advice for me? Id like to try to find a way to improve my credit score however possible.edit: Additional info: I live in West Virginia. The ambulance bill originally was around 500, but I didnt have a steady income at the time.Also I appreciate all of the replies and advice everyone!  <response>: I would definitely get it paid off. Either you paying it or your insurance. Negative entries like that stay on your account for about 7 years. I would contact the issuer and the collection agency to see if they can remove the marks from your credit score after you have paid it off. 