I have been in your situation for a very long time. When I first went on disability, the collectors were really pesky, asking all kinds of personal questions. One asked me if I had a TV and if so, I was living beyond my means. I told her it was a very old TV and she could come get it if she wanted to.

I used to get so upset after they called. I'd cry all day. Sometimes they made me cry. I finally came to the realization that there was nothing they could do to extract money from me. I also felt a lot better when I understood that the collectors bought my debt for pennies on the dollar and whatever money they can guilt me into paying was certainly more than they paid for the debt. I wasn't robbing my health care providers. At least they got their 80%.

My only debts are my unpaid medical copays--the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover.
I never agreed or promised to send ANY MONEY to the collectors. When they called, I calmly told them I was single, my only income was social security disability, I did not own a home or any real estate and had no assets of any value. After 2 calls, they never called any more. I don't even get nagging mail. It has been several years since I received a phone call or letter from a collector.