So I opened a credit card as a freshman in college (2008) and ended up losing my job and never paid off the debt. Collection agencies have been blowing up my phone and sending letters trying to collect the almost 00 that I owe. I am presently unemployed due to health issues and have no way to pay off all the debt now. They are offering me the option of settleing the debt but i dont want it to ruin my credit score. what should i do?

I have no other credit cards in my name, only the hospital bills i have been paying on from three surgeries and the hospital stays and what not. will paying these bills on time and in full help my credit score?

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I sent letters to the debt collection agencies that I owe money for medical bills (2600 across 6 accounts) to settle the debts at 25% and to remove entirely from my record. Two have responded asking for full payment, one will remove entirely, other said it would report as "paid in full". What should I do? Should I be renegotiating with them for less than the full amounts? The remove in full is tempting as is, but I feel the "paid in full" definitely has to be renegotiated. Thoughts?

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