HIPPA Process for Medical Debts

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me where I can find information on:

1. the HIPPA process for medical debts, and/or
2. the process for dealing with/getting out of medical debts

Are they the same?

Thank you in advance.

[Shogun]

Kind of a gray area on here.  We don't discuss the HIPPA process on the forums.  You can google HIPPA process and find some information on it.  I"ve never used it, but I believe it's used for getting CAs off of your CR.  Maybe someone can PM you more information.

[Anonymous]

Hi Shogun,

I am actually reading through past forum threads on that which all say the same as you have advised me.  Thank you so much.

[RobertEG]

The so-called HIPAA process is an interpretation of the HIPAA statute regarding the ability of furnishers to retain, and thus report, medically related information to a consumer's credit file after the debt has been paid.  It is not a way to get out of the debt, it is a theory directed at removal of reported information.

Being based on the theory that having paid the debt removes their permissible purpose for retaining the medical information in their records, it is predicated upon first paying the creditor.

Discussion of the HIPAA process is not usually conducted on this forum, as it is based on an interpretation, and thus advice is subjective.  Giving advice on a process not based explicitly on statute or established case law can lead to consumers down the wrong path.

[Anonymous]

Hi RobertEG,

That makes a lot of sense.  I do appreciate your explanation of the philosophy behind it, and I understand why the process cannot be discussed on this forum.   What you gave me, however, does give me a lot to go on. 

Thank you, as always.