Need a little advice...

[MackMomma]

Long time reader, first time poster. I just pulled my credit report from Equifax, and there are quite a few things on there that I want removed! Hubby and I just tried to qualify for a home loan.... He has NO credit, and my FICO is a 543! AHHH!! THAT'S AWFUL! Now, there are a few things on my report that I can't control. My mom's car, which she pays for and drives two states away, is on my credit, and she hasn't been very good about making on-time payments. Also, there is an old cell phone bill that went to collections (I opened an account with AT&T for my brother for his birthday one year, he racked up an $800 dollar bill that he NEVER PAID)... Aside from that, the majority of entries on my report are medical collections (bad, I know) and students loans, all of which are in deferrment because I am still in school. But here's my question: should I dispute the medical collections (and possibly brother's cell phone bill) or should I just go straight for the pay-for-delete method? Hubby and I have money we've saved up (we were going to use it for a down payment on a home, but since that's not going to happen now, we figure we might as well put it to another good use!), but I just want to know which would be the better route to take? Oh, and all of the collections are still within the SOL. I don't want to get sued!

[sadegrnt]

How do I go about repairing my credit?

[chane]

Originally Posted by sadegrnt

How do I go about repairing my credit?

Start here:

Beginner's Credit Information

or here:

Lexington Law

[Trish]

Hi MackMomma Welcome

If the majority of debts are medical and you are willing to pay, you should read here:

Medical collections/HIPAA process

For the others that aren't actually yours.....you could try disputing them with the CRAs but if you are listed on the loan or acct, you will need to try and get your name removed.

If you are working on paying your debts........or can make payment arrangements, more than likely a creditor/CA will not try to sue you... it's usually only when you ignore them over a debt that is for a substantial amount (like over 1k)

[MackMomma]

Thanks, Trish! I will definately give the HIPPA link a read. A few of the medical collections are over 1k (one is around 3k and another is around 2k). Those were the ones I was really worried about! But I'm hoping they will work with me if I'm willing to pay.

Unfortunately, all of the accounts that "aren't mine" are all in my name, with no other names listed on the account. I was just trying to help my family through tough times years ago, and it's all coming back to haunt me.

Thanks for the advice!

[sadegrnt]

Do cleaning off your credit really work?

[MackMomma]

Okay, I read through the HIPPA dispute process, and that is definately the way to go for me with the majority of my medical collections. However, does this process work if you try to set up a payment plan with the OC/Hospital? As in, insert (a) would work, but I can I re-word it to say somethink like this?:

(insert a)
Enclosed please find my remittance of ($___) for payment in full of this account.

(insert this if the payment is less than billed)Please accept this payment of ($____), or XX% of amount billed as payment in full on this account. By cashing this money order/cashiers check, you accept this amount as payment in full.

This payment in full is for services as per the attached fee schedule from XXXX XXXX) Where would the "fee schedule" come from? Could I just come up with one and present it to them along with this letter?

Please note, my remittance is payable ONLY to (hc provider) and may not be signed over or transferred to any third party collection agency, as this would constitute an additional violation of HIPAA and State Privacy Act rules .
Copies of this correspondence and a copy of the remittance check may be used for any further actions with State or Federal agencies

........

Thanks!

[MackMomma]

Originally Posted by sadegrnt

Do cleaning off your credit really work?

Yes, if you are patient and and follow through with all the steps.. it's a little time consuming and tedious, but it's worth it!

[Trish]

Originally Posted by MackMomma

Okay, I read through the HIPPA dispute process, and that is definately the way to go for me with the majority of my medical collections. However, does this process work if you try to set up a payment plan with the OC/Hospital? As in, insert (a) would work, but I can I re-word it to say somethink like this?:

(insert a)
Enclosed please find my remittance of ($___) for payment in full of this account.

(insert this if the payment is less than billed)Please accept this payment of ($____), or XX% of amount billed as payment in full on this account. By cashing this money order/cashiers check, you accept this amount as payment in full.

This payment in full is for services as per the attached fee schedule from XXXX XXXX) Where would the "fee schedule" come from? Could I just come up with one and present it to them along with this letter?

Please note, my remittance is payable ONLY to (hc provider) and may not be signed over or transferred to any third party collection agency, as this would constitute an additional violation of HIPAA and State Privacy Act rules .
Copies of this correspondence and a copy of the remittance check may be used for any further actions with State or Federal agencies

........

Thanks!

No, according to whychat, you should not use the HIPAA letter until the account has been paid in full.
What you should do is the medical dispute letter first. Make sure it is a valid debt. Once you get the info back from that, contact the original healthcare provider and make payment arrangements. If this debt has been transferred to a CA, you need to ask that they recall the debt from the CA and you will pay them directly.
Use the HIPAA letter with the last payment to the HCP and then continue the HIPAA process from there.

If you feel that the bill is inflated, you can sometimes find a recommended fee schedule for your state's hospitals (you would have to google this. I am not sure exactly where you would find it). If you find that your bill is considerably higher than the recommended fee for your state, you would need to show this to the billing dept and see if other arrangements can be made.

Hope that helps.

[MackMomma]

Can I just dispute all of the medical collections with the CRAs, and see if they come back validated? Would the 1 2 punch work in this scenario? I mean, if I can get them deleted by just disputing them (without paying) that would be awesome! But if my disputes come back validated, should I go ahead with the HIPPA process from there?

Oh, this is all so confusing!!!