Yep, discussing details of the HIPAA process are taboo here, though google "HIPAA Process" for more info. HIPAA process does involve paying the OCs first, though, and that may or may not be an option. The other option is to skip HIPAA and send a DV to the CA. If they verify and you agree, then you can send a PFD (even offer a settlement too) and if they agree, you'd pay it and they'll delete. BEFORE doing anything, look up your state's SOL. Likely because it is medical, you signed a contract at some point in time. Look up the SOL for your state for written contracts. If SOL did not expire, then make sure you have the ability to PIF first before doing anything. You can certainly settle, but if they (the Dr. if following HIPAA or the CA if going the DV-PFD route) reject the settlement offer, then they can sue for the full amount if they wanted to. Sending anything to them will wake them up. If SOL expired, then there's nothing to worry about as long as you don't do anything to reset SOL (YMMV based on state law...e.g. make a partial payment without settling or making a promise to pay).
Look at your two FICO reports. Look for a line item called AAoA or Average Age of Accounts. If you see it, it'll be on pages 2 or 3 of the report. If those 3 charge-offs are older than your AAoA, then removing them could hurt your FICO score. You'd want to proceed carefully. If any are your oldest account, then I'd do nothing to it. You can get them to delete early by sending a GW letter to whomever is reporting. They don't have to respond, but always worth a shot. Again, you can lose points if removing an old CO. YMMV based on your credit report.
Do you have any open and current accounts?
