<prompt> Human: TLDR; was in bad accident, hospital bill went to law firm that reps hospital but law firm doesnt own the debt, the hospital does. Need written payment agreement from law firm for home loan, law firm wont provide it. What can I do?In 2010 I was in a bad accident and incapacitated for a pretty long time. I broke my entire face and was mostly blind and was bed-ridden for 6 months with my jaw wired shut for 9 months. During this time I had very limited access to anyone who could help me do things like check my mail, and during this time I received a notice that my hospital bill was going to go to collections. I found out it was in collections when I got the call from the agency barking for payment. I called the hospital and they said this happens with traumatic cases all the time and to come in and file an appeal and get it taken out of collections, so I waited until I was well enough to be able to speak and see decently and I had someone drive me to the business office of the hospital to present an appeal. My appeal was denied. The mans exact response when I asked why I was being denied when my situation seemed like the exact type that would grant an appeal was: Because I dont want to do it. OK, whatever, I was glad to be alive and didnt have the energy in me to fight it.So, ever since, Ive been making payments towards the balance. Well, I recently applied for a special kind of home loan that says any medical debt in collections disqualifies me unless the collections agency will provide a copy of the written agreement.I called the collections agency and requested a copy of my payment agreement but they said we never had one. I asked to have one drafted but they refused. I also asked if they owned the debt and they said No, we just represent the hospital. So, my problem is that the mortgage loan officer has told me, in his exact words, Without a settlement agreement that says you pay X per month and have been paying that amount for at least 12 months, we cannot approve you.Is there any kind of request I can put in with the collections agency to better negotiate to get a written payment agreement?Edit: Well, its attorney time. The hospital has no record of me ever being a patient, and the law firm that has been collecting on the creditors behalf was recently found to be in major violation by the CFPB. From the news headline Jan 2017: A medical debt collections firm has agreed to pay more than 655,000 to settle complaints by a federal consumer watchdog about its collections practices.Thanks for the help everyone.Assistant: Im not a lawyer and I probably would consult one, but if they cant prove that a settlement agreement exists, what are you paying towards? How would you even know if youre making progress on the bill or just accruing interest?Ultimately, I would try to speak to the hospital to find out what is going on. My parents small business has had people collecting their receivables and not notifying them, so my parents thought the payment was outstanding and the customer thought it was paid. It is time to go speak to the debt holder.Human: Ultimately, I would try to speak to the hospital to find out what is going on.I tried this, but they said I have a ghost account due to the age which can no longer be pulled up and that they were not able to offer me any assistance.  <response>: If they cant pull it up, then ask for proof of debt. When they cant give it, tell them youre going to dispute with the credit bureaus. Tell them if they cant prove your best exists then obviously you dont have to pay it. Youll dispute the debt and get it taken off your credit report. No more problem. 