topic Re: I need help with HIPPA process! in Recovering from Medical Debt

I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:26:51 GMT

I've got a couple of questions about how the hippa works. I have read the thread about hippa, but have some questions. 1. Should I send the pre hippa letter to the cra's about all the medical claims on my reports, even though some I can't pay at the moment, because they are in the thousands of dollars. Or should I only send the pre hippa about the paid accounts, and the ones I could go ahead and pay right away. I guess what I'm asking is will me asking the cra's about an account I can't pay at the moment, will that turn it into a negative situation for myself.

2. Make sure you HAND ADDRESS the envelope, use personalized stationery and purple or teal font, ( preferably italic). I don't understand this sentence. Does this mean I am supposed to write the letter or should I type it like all other letters? These are my top 2 questions at the moments, but ofcourse if someone could explain the whole thing in more detail I would appreciate it. Thanks for any help.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:42:13 GMT

Hi Scorpio and Welcome to the forums!

1.) Yes, only start the HIPAA process with collections that are marked as paid, or collections that you can pay in full. For collections that you can't pay in full, the HIPAA process is not applicable.

2.) You can type the letter, but be sure to use handwriting on the envelop. Most disputes, non-med collections or not, are verified by the CRA's electronically...aka, E-Oscar. By following the font and stationary guidelines, it helps to avoid this dreaded E-Oscar method of verification (MOV). For more info on just how the dirty E-Oscar verification process works, check-out the link below.

http://www.e-oscar.org/

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:09:17 GMT

I have some more questions about the 2nd step of the HIPPA process:

Do I send the Opt-Out letter to both OCs and CAs? What if I have numerous collections for one CA and only one account is in good standing? Do I send the opt-out letter noting only that paid account? Will the CA become more aggressive regarding the unpaid accounts if I do this?

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:33:49 GMT

Only opt-out with creditors that you are completely in good standing with. So, if you have two accounts with one creditor and one is in good standing and the other is in bad standing, do not opt-out with them. Never try opting-out with a CA, its just a waste of time.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:48:51 GMT

So the Opt-Out letters go only to the OCs and only those where every account is in good standing?

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:11:03 GMT

Yes, but never, ever to CAs tho.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:34:05 GMT

Thank you for your help! It is a confusing process and I want to make sure I do it correctly.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:35:04 GMT

Oops! One more question....

What about medical bills that were satisfied in Civil Judgments? Can those be removed using the HIPAA process, as well?

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:48:50 GMT

BethJ wrote:

Oops! One more question....

What about medical bills that were satisfied in Civil Judgments? Can those be removed using the HIPAA process, as well?

Unfortunately, public records were exempted from HIPAA's privacy rules. The only way you have a shot at removing a med judgment would be if the following are true:

1.) you have (or can get) certified copies of BOTH the recorded judgment and the recorded release

2.) you don't have any address on your credit reports that was your address when the judgment was filed

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:21:00 GMT

I have completed both Opt-Out steps and I'm now getting ready to send the HIPAA form letter to the orig health care provider. Most of my collections are "Paid" but they are still appearing in my credit reports...do I just disregard using any of the inserts? What if I do not remember which of my family members or the dates of the original service?

Beth

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:29:53 GMT

After you finish opting out and updating your personal info on your credit reports (if necessary), you handwrite and send this letter PRE-HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER to the CRAs CM. The HIPPA letter is only sent to the OC in certain situations.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:03:13 GMT

So I send the Pre-HIPAA Medical Dispute Letter, even if the collections accounts are paid?

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:11:09 GMT

BethJ wrote:
So I send the Pre-HIPAA Medical Dispute Letter, even if the collections accounts are paid?

Yes! The HIPAA letter process always begins with this letter PRE-HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER

Please read (or reread) the HIPAA & Med Collections link in my sig line.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:20:54 GMT

Thank you so much for your assistance. I think I understand the whole process now. I just want to make sure I get it right. You're help is very much appreciated!

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:25:51 GMT

You're Welcome! Please keep us updated.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:27:42 GMT

If I understand correctly, the pre-HIPAA letters sent to the CRAs is to bring to their attention to the fact that there are paid medical bills, collected by CAs, that the CRAs do not have a right to report due to HIPAA laws. The reason they are not allowed to report them any longer is that the CAs no longer have open business with the COs (medical providers), therefore, by allowing these to continue to be reported, anyone that can pull my credit reports has access to PHI that they should not have access, too.

Am I correct?

I sent a pile of pre-HIPAA letters off today, more to send tomorrow. I'll let you know what happens.

Beth

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:17:49 GMT

I mailed opt-out letters to two addresses for one OC. Both addresses were listed for the private practice and I was not sure which was the correct address. Both were returned. On one was hand-written "wrong address", on the other had a USPS marking that delivery was attempted but the address was unknown - unable to forward. What should I do about these? I have no other address for this medical facility and am wondering if they even exist any longer. The debt I had with them is paid, but through a CA. I have sent the pre-HIPAA letter to the CA.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

fused — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:49:34 GMT

I'm confused!

Opt-out with creditors you are in good standing with only.

What medical facility

pre-HIPAA letters go to the CRAs, not CAs

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 03:59:19 GMT

In Step #1 of the HIPAA Process & Medical Collections it says

"You must Opt Out of two things: Your Credit Reports and All Creditors."

and,

"Use this link to opt-out from all of your CURRENT creditors that you're in GOOD standing with."

The debt to this creditor was paid in full and therefore I am in good standing with them. Isn't that what Step 1 is referring to? Or maybe I misunderstood something in the instructions in the thread Medical Collections & The HIPAA Letter Process (w/HappyDays)???

Hopefully, if I made a mistake it will only be time wasted and not create more hassles.

Re: I need help with HIPPA process!

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:29:47 GMT

It's working!! I received a letter from Experian today regarding the medical debt. Out of 20 medical collections, 18 were removed from my CR on March 23rd and two are pending. Unfortunately the only way I know of my EXP fico is because we applied for refi on our mortgage and my FICO was 581. I have no way of knowing what it is now, after the collections were removed.

So now I'm waiting for the response from EQ. Now that I know it's working I will send out the letters to TU.