Account verified. Please help.

[jwelch47]

I found an old closed account through freecreditreport and disputed it through their online service(that was before I found this very useful forum). I just disputed "this item is not accurate." Anyway it came back verified and the CA sent a letter to me(first one I have recieved from them) with a bill I have never seen before. It looks like it is for labwork done from a doctors visit then the lab billed seperate. The first date showing on the bill says 1/14/2005 for 19.50 the second from 2/28/06 for a contract adjustment of -4.88(not sure why) the third 7/24/06 for bad address(they didn't have my apt number, only building number). It shows on my credit report as starting in 9/1/2006 for $22.00 . The bill they just sent says its 22.40( they also have a charge of 7.78 included that says INT. . .I assume thats interest???). Anyway, the date is wrong, and the amount is wrong, and the address from the original bill is wrong. How can it come back verified and what is my next step. I live in nebraska, am I right that this would be out of SOL? How do I approach this one, please help.

[Trish]

You should read through the HIPAA process (in the beginner's section).......or at the very least contact the original healthcare provider to see if it's even a legit bill.
Sometimes the OHP will write off a certain amount because of insurance or a discount....and the CA somehow picks these "leftover" balances up with no legit right to collect on them.

[jwelch47]

Ok I called the lab that was listed on the bill. They said they did sell this to a CA which I think is total crap because they sent the original bill to the wrong address and I never go it. I'm going to write out the bill and the charges for you to see and can you tell me if it is actually out of SOL because I'm not understanding this. SOL is 4 years I believe in nebraska...does this apply to medical as well?

Statement Date 7/31/2006 Statement Due Date 8/30/2006
1/14/2005 80053 Comprehensive metab 19.50
2/28/2006 Service Adj Contract Adjustment - 4.88
7/24/2006 Service Adj Bad Address 0.00
2/02/2006 Payment by: Midlands Choice Employer 0.00
EOB/comment Duplicate/sending ltr to ins req copy of original eob
2/28/2006 payment by: Midlands Choice Employer 0.00
EOB/comment Benefits were paid to the insured CK#xxxxx

Thank you so much for your answers so far trish

[Trish]

Well, the SOL on a medical debt starts from the date of service....which looks like 2005 so it's out of SOL for collection.(SOL on medical is 4 years in most states - it falls under your state's UCC for goods and services)..... but not for reporting. It can stay on your report for 7 years.

So if you do wish to get it removed from your CRs, I would do the HIPAA process.
Be sure to opt out and update all personal info first.....and then send out the medical dispute letter to the CRAs.

[jwelch47]

Thanks for your help Trish. When I called the OC I asked if I could just pay them and they said no that I would have to deal with only the CA. If I send it the way it says do they have to accept the payment?

Also, if I have already sent validation letters to two other CAs that say they are medical can I still do the HIPPA process? I was planning on trying the 1-2 punch because at the time I didn't understand the HIPAA route. It is still confusing to me but I think I am starting to understand it.

[Trish]

They (the original healthcare provider) will say that......but that's why when you pay them with the HIPAA letter, you make sure it's a traceable money order and you put the restrictive endorsement on it. By law, they have to accept cash payment for services regardless of whether or not they sold it to a CA.. And when you put the restrictive endorsement on there, they cannot transfer the payment to the CA.

And yes, even though you DV'd the CA......as long as you haven't paid them, you can still go ahead with the HIPAA process.

HTH

[jwelch47]

Thank you again for replying to all of my questions. I have learned so much in the past week by reading through this great forum. I feel so much better knowing that this can be settled and fixed. Thanks again.

[Trish]

You're welcome Glad I could help
Let me know if you have any more questions.