Question for the HIPAA experts:
Why we can't write a simple letter to the CRAs saying something like:
Darling CRA:
Re: General Hospital Account 12345
The account above, reported to you by Jerky Collection Agency, is a paid medical debt. As you can see by the attached accounting and a copy of my cashed check, (or letter from JCA or OC) this account has been paid in full.
In order to report this account to you, JCA must validate this debt and prove they have a business purpose to report it. Since the debt is paid, it cannot be validated because under federal HIPAA laws, General Hospital can no longer release the information, and therefore JCA has no continuing business purpose to have or use my personal health information. JCA cannot use the name of the original creditor, my health care provider, in order to fulfill any FCRA requirements to provide that information in validation of the account.
The debt, therefore, cannot be reported by them or Darling CRA.
Please remove the collection account and anything pertaining to it from my credit report immediately.
Joe Public.