<prompt> Human: Forgot to pay a 50 copay and 6 months later I got a letter from a collections company to make a payment. Making the payment when I get home today, but what can I do in terms of my credit score. Will it be affected in any way?  <response>: Everyone is giving you all these detailed instructions for fighting it. I will say dont bother. Just pay them the 50, credit scores have been changed so medical bills that go to collections no longer impact your credit scores if they are paid off. The scenario you describe has happened to millions of other americans, so the credit bureaus realized it didnt really predict credit risk. 