<human>: I've been notified that wife's hospital bill for around $5300 has been sent to a collection Agency. I did speak to them earlier today, and they are requesting either for the bill to be paid off in one sum (which they would reduce it to something like $4500) or I can set up a payment plan to pay it off in 12 months (which would come to $444 per month).

I was previously given bad advice because I was told (by someone who works in the Health Industry) to pay a small amount to show intent to pay, but I've just found out that it was sent to this collection agency.

The problem that I'm running into is that my wife and I have recently started to start budgeting somewhat appropriately, then we turned around and were hit with this.  Our income is currently about the same as our expenses between rent, credit cards, student loans, medical bills, etc. At this point, I don't have enough to fully budget for food or other upcoming expenses (e.g. I've been putting off some car repairs and some maintenance for some time now.)

Give me a shortened version of the text
<bot>: Medical Bill was sent to collections, budget doesn't allow for the amount they are asking for. What do I do?