<prompt> Human: Just because you have a medical bill or outstanding debt in collection doesnt mean there isnt room to negotiate it down, much like insurance companies do at least I think they do.I had a 3-figure bill from an ER visit two years ago go to collections. Not a huge unmanageable bill, but more than I wanted to shell out for on the spot. I thought my insurance at the time covered it, but it was an Obamacare startup individual plan healthcare company that went out of business last year. I talked with the debt collector and respectfully told him Id pay 23 of the bill, then and there, to settle it. He put me on hold and said he ran it up the flagpole. They accepted. Debt settled. I know some of you out there might be dealing with much bigger medical debts. But the takeaway I wanted to share: negotiate medical bills.  <response>: Good job. I also encourage others to do this. First, the bills are usually inflated. Second, once the debt is sold to a collector they will usually discount to recoup cost of buying debt. Third, they usually just want some money rather than writing it off. I also negotiate down all med bills for these reasons. Until our health care costs become reasonable, Ill continue to do so. Also was a bill collector for several years. Negotiate everything you can. 