I think this changed a few years ago. Most providers will let you work out payments that are very low but you do need to pay $25/month or whatever, even if that means it will be 20 years before you pay it off. It can otherwise go to collections; it happened to me with a bill I didn't know about.

My hospital has 12 month no interest payment plans up to some cut-off and then they'll help you get into something more loan-like with 0% interest for longer term payments. I called my family doctor's office once and asked for payments and they were willing to let me pay very small amounts.

Some places give you a 20% break if you pay immediately. I've done that with a credit card when I had to have 5 months of PT because it was a significant savings.

There is also maybe Care Credit if you want to do the credit card routine. It pays for (particpating) doctor, dentist, vet bills and based on the amount you owe they'll give 0% interest for different lengths of time. I have dental work on it now and get 12 months without interest. I actually did a little extra dental work 9planned for December) so that I could get the 12 months; had I spent $60 less it would only have been 6 months at 0%.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I had a mess a few years ago when my Medicaid that only kicked in if a specific amount was accrued in a month was met when I had surgery and Medicaid wouldn't process the claim and I wound up with a $1400 bill I wasn't expecting. I was so mad and frustrated so I know you must want to throw things at someone.