“Pawn Stars” star Rick Harrison wants the back-and-forth with his son Corey over medical bills handled privately … not in the media.

Rick tells TMZ … “Corey and I will work this out by talking to each other and not the media.”

He continues … “We appreciate everyone’s support and concern but feel it is in the best interest of all to concentrate on Corey’s recovery at this time.”

Tension between the father-son duo bubbled after a GoFundMe was launched on Corey’s behalf to help cover medical bills and money he says he borrowed from his dad and friends after a terrifying motorcycle accident that landed him in the hospital.

Rick previously told us, as far as he knows, he “paid all of Corey’s medical bills long before [Corey] put the GoFundMe out.” He said it’d be nice if Corey paid him back, but “there is no repayment schedule in place.”

Corey pushed back … telling us, “If he decided I don’t have to pay him back the money, then happy birthday to me,” though he said that based on their relationship, he doubts that’s the case.