Medical collections/HIPAA process

[Christie_1981]

Okay, so I read this and I -think- I get it, but I don't understand how it works. So I send a dispute to the CRA, they validate it and send additional information about the account. But what if they don't send additional information, what if they just "validate" it?

Does this work on something you've previously disputed with the CRA (but not with the CA or OC?)

Then, you get the results of your dispute and lets say the bill is accurate, but you want to pay it. How does the HIPAA letter make them delete the information? I guess I just don't understand how it's a violation of HIPAA. Now I do understand if there's something inaccurate about the debt, but it seems like this applies to accurate debts as well, unless I'm missing something?

[Trish]

Read here:
Why Chat's Credit Confusion - HIPAA Legal

See if that helps you understand a little better.

[Jackie]

I owed a hospital for a medical bill and they turned it over to a collection agency and then I paid the collection agency in full by debit card over the phone, by they had already reported it to credit bureau as a bad debt. After I paid it they listed the debt as paid on my credit report but did not remove it. I have called them repeatedly, sent emails, spoke to supervisors and they all said that they can not remove it because they would lose their "reporting rights" with credit bureaus. What can I do to have a paid medical bill that was sent to collections removed from my credit report?

[jjgross]

Originally Posted by Jackie

I owed a hospital for a medical bill and they turned it over to a collection agency and then I paid the collection agency in full by debit card over the phone, by they had already reported it to credit bureau as a bad debt. After I paid it they listed the debt as paid on my credit report but did not remove it. I have called them repeatedly, sent emails, spoke to supervisors and they all said that they can not remove it because they would lose their "reporting rights" with credit bureaus. What can I do to have a paid medical bill that was sent to collections removed from my credit report?

Wrong ask them not to respond to a dispute and it comes off.so they don't have to remove it.If they don't respond the cra will remove it.

[Jackie]

I don't quite understand, I have already disputed with equifax and they said debt is valid and that it will take 7 years to come off unless the collection agency decides to remove it before the 7 years so I have been trying to get them to remove it and they told me no because it will cause them to lose their "reporting rights with the credit bureau". What should I do next will the hippa process work in any way?

[Trish]

Originally Posted by Jackie

I don't quite understand, I have already disputed with equifax and they said debt is valid and that it will take 7 years to come off unless the collection agency decides to remove it before the 7 years so I have been trying to get them to remove it and they told me no because it will cause them to lose their "reporting rights with the credit bureau". What should I do next will the hippa process work in any way?

No, the HIPAA process does not work if you paid the CA. The best thing you can do is just continue to bug the CA and keep disputing it. Make sure the way they are reporting is 100% accurate.
What jj is saying is true........but the CAs don't always want to cooperate with consumers.
CAs will tell you it's "illegal" for them to delete a TL from your CR but reporting is completely voluntary. They do not have to report to the CRAs........but if they do report it, it must be accurate.

[5oclocksomewhere]

Hi all - newbie here - been reading feverishly through the forum.

My DH has a medical collections for $100. He said it's probably from a co-pay that he never paid when had an ER visit several years ago. In the interest of saving time, can I skip the Pre-HIPPA letter and just do the payment to the OC? Or is the pre-HIPPA letter part of the bigger plan?

We're looking to buy a house, and the sooner I can get things resolved the better. Thanks!

[jjgross]

Originally Posted by 5oclocksomewhere

Hi all - newbie here - been reading feverishly through the forum.

My DH has a medical collections for $100. He said it's probably from a co-pay that he never paid when had an ER visit several years ago. In the interest of saving time, can I skip the Pre-HIPPA letter and just do the payment to the OC? Or is the pre-HIPPA letter part of the bigger plan?

We're looking to buy a house, and the sooner I can get things resolved the better. Thanks!

Is it still with the oc?If a collection agency it could get sticky.You can try to pay oc.have them pull it back from the ca.And see if they will remove it for payment.

[5oclocksomewhere]

I don't think it is. Maybe I was just reading the HIPPA process incorrectly. I thought I had to go through the OC.

Since it's a small enough amount, and I have the means to pay it in full, can I just send the CA a pay for delete offer?

[jjgross]

Originally Posted by 5oclocksomewhere

I don't think it is. Maybe I was just reading the HIPPA process incorrectly. I thought I had to go through the OC.

Since it's a small enough amount, and I have the means to pay it in full, can I just send the CA a pay for delete offer?

You can do that,but check to see who's reporting it!Make sure you get a written agreement first!Also read through the Pay for delete letter's and get an general idea of which is your best approach.