CA hasn't contacted me in 3 yrs! Pay for delete?

[pubcubbie]

I have an old medical bill from at least 2006, $650, that was sold to a CA. I was fresh out of college and didn't have insurance thus couldn't pay. I remember being contacted by the CA around late 2007/early 2008 with a letter and calls but have not been contacted since.

I have pulled my credit report from all 3 bureau's and have noticed that my 24-month payment history consists of (at least from Experian) KD on 3/2008 then ND from 4/2008 to 11/2010 and now back to KD 12/2010 to present. Experian is listing account staus as CLOSED but past due $650, Equifax has no status but lists UNPAID and TransUnion account status is OPEN.

I'm not sure what steps to take.. I want to clear this from my report so it doesn't kill my score and I am willing to pay. This is the only derogatory/negative file I have on my report. Again, I've received no communication from the CA since 2007/2008. I acknowledge that the debt is mine, but do I still send a debt validation letter to the CA? If I pay in full will they completely erase this negative file from my report; pay for delete? Or should I work out some sort of settlement with them and hope they will still erase it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

[TeeJS]

It sounds like this is probably out of the SOL, but they very widely by state. I'd start with a PFD letter - since it's likely out of SOL they really have no other way to get any $ except to work with you.

What's worked well for me is to send out a PFD letter. If they don't respond in ~20 days, send out a verification letter with a reminder that you're willing to pay for deletion as motivation for them to work with you. I'd also send a PDF to to OC as well.

In my experience, I've had about 25% of CA's take a PFD in the 1st two rounds, 10% of OCs take a PFD, and am working on round three now.

There is also a HIPPA thread that might apply because this is a medical debit - it's definitely worth checking out.

Good luck!