How do I get rid of a collection account on my credit report?

I just checked out my credit report, and saw a collection account on my credit report.. how do I get rid of it? It was only $80 and the jerk doc sent me only one notice - and it was just a plain notice that i still owed them a little money that the insurance didn't pay. Nothing from a collection agency. All my other accounts are so good, I pay my bills in full and on time every month, have had these credit cards for almost 3 years now.. but this collection thing bought down my score so much! I'm really afraid that this will affect my credit eligibility for things like houses, cars, apartments in the future :( I'm a broke college student and I really don't want to pay $80.00... help.
How do I get rid of a collection account on my credit report?
You need to pay it and it will show a PAID collection on yout bureaus. Theres no way around it. Have you disputed it with the bureau? If they cannot validate it within 30 days they have to remove it per the FCRA. You could try that route.
Reply:You can add mitigating information to your credit report.


See the FTC Web site for details. Your otherwise good credit should matter more. However, I would try to settle with the Doctor.
Reply:Even a little debt is debt, learn from this %26amp; pay the bill before you get any further into this mess. Everything else you say doesn't matter, its just excuses.
Reply:Pay the Dr. bill and ask for a written statement stating that you are free and clear of any debt. Ask the Dr. to send all three reporting agencies notice and you send a certified copy of the letter to all three. Keep the letter in case the debt pops back up.