A debt collector is after my 9-year-old son for a $3K medical test. How do I fix it and get them off our back?

Core Insights - Medical debt is a significant issue in the U.S., affecting millions of Americans with total medical debt exceeding $220 billion [1] - A large number of Americans, approximately 79 million, have faced medical billing problems or are in the process of paying off medical debt [2] - Disputes over medical debt are notably more frequent than those related to credit card debt, with challenges occurring almost three times as often [2][3] Group 1 - Approximately 20 million adults owe at least $250 in medical debt, with 14 million owing more than $1,000 and about 3 million carrying debts over $10,000 [1] - Errors in medical billing are common, leading to disputes that can arise from minor clerical mistakes [3] - The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from pursuing debts without proper verification and misrepresenting amounts owed [5] Group 2 - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has raised concerns about double-billing and inflated charges in medical debt collection, emphasizing the need for proper documentation [6] - Many individuals face collection efforts for incorrect bills, including outdated records or attempts to collect amounts that should have been adjusted for financial assistance [7] - Consumers have reported being pursued for services not received, bills already paid, or debts associated with the wrong individual [7]