@tufa4311 wrote:Hi guys, I'm a "Big Brother" with Big Brother's/Big Sisters and my "little's" mom is asking my advice on some credit stuff relating to some of her medical collection bills. By now we are all aware that we can not talk about the HIPPA process in detail and I always just see that we need to contact the "creator" or just google it. Well, I have googled it and there's just too much info. Questions:
1. HIPPA is a U.S. congressional act - an act of our governement - why are we on this board talking about it like it's owned by some private person or company or that it's a registered trademark?
2. Either way, where is this website that lists all the steps to follow??
The HIPAA Process is a creation of Why Chat and Why Chat has served a cease and desist order on myFico forbidding the discussion of his process in any way and that is the policy as set by the admins of this site, its not open to discussion in any way. Talking about the HIPAA law itself is something totally different and is not limited in any way as long as it doesnt get around to being incorporated in talk of the HIPAA Process. Search Why Chat that will get you there as well.
I will give you the steps that should be followed with medical collections
For unpaid medical debt that is reporting on your CR:
1. Call the OC and see if you qualify for Charity Care
2. If not then ask that they recall the collection in exchange for full payment
3. Send the reporting CA a PFD offer
4. Google the HIPAA Process and contact its creator for help
@tufa4311 wrote:So when we speak of the "HIPAA process" we are not referring to The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 but rather some process Why Chat came up with? You got it, its not referring to the law itself.
I am not here to argue that we should be able to talk about it I am trying to understand why - I am assuming we are not talking about the federal act of 1996 as that couldn't be "owned" by anyone as it's simply a law. Right again the law itself cannot be owned by anyone but a process derived from said law can be.
No problem, have a good rest of your eve 
@tufa4311 wrote:So after doing some research I'd like to confirm a high level understanding. I will do my best to ensure the subject stays on the HIPAA law and not touch upon the "HIPAA process". If I wander into forbidden territory please let me know.
Ok, so, is it true - is it illegal for a CRA to report on any medical accounts if said accounts no longer have a balance (not if said accounts are PIF, just if they no longer have a balance, even if what was paid was less than the original balance but was agreed to by all parties)?
IMO on the law it is not illegal. CRAs must treat medical info differently over other forms or collections but the reporting of a paid medical is in no way been made illegal.
