Should a debt collector be calling me for upaid bill of deceased mother?

by Kim
(Massachusetts)

Hi

I had talked to the hospital when I received the original bill of my deceased mother and told them that due to my own financial problems I could not pay for my mothers bill. The woman I talked to said it would be put down as a bad debt. I did not sign any papers when my mother was admitted to the hospital since she did it herself. I didn't hear anything more about it for a couple of months.

Now I am receiving automated calls from a debt collector concerning this debt. They call when I'm not available so I can't stop the message when it says if your not so and so or responsible party to stop the message.

I had sent in a death certificate and letter to this collection agency stating that there was no estate to pay for this bill and not to contact me. I'm on medicaid myself now due to unemployment and I'm struggling to pay my own bills.

Is there anything I can do to stop the harassment? These people don't seem to understand that there is no estate to pay them.

Thanks for any help
Kim