topic Help, not sure next step??? in Recovering from Medical Debt

Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:51:48 GMT

Before I found this forum I paid a medical bill to the collection agency, I paid it back in February and it's still showing up as unpaid. I have followed the HIPAA process since then by opting out, sending the prehippa dispute and then sending the letter to the OC regarding a paid collection. The OC is referring me to speak with the CA to get a paid notice and that the CA will be reporting the account paid to the CRA's. They also said because I signed a HIPAA notice and because I owed the amount at the time that it authorizes the CA to keep reporting even though it's paid and all they have to do is report paid and not remove. She was really a pain to deal with and I just want this thing deleted but since I paid the CA I feel like there is not much I can do. What, if anything can be done now?

Re: Help, not sure next step???

fused — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:03:05 GMT

Is the collection marked as disputed and verified on your credit reports? Did the CA ever send you validation of the debt?

Re: Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:42:08 GMT

The collection is marked as disputed and meets FCRA and I have not received full validation from the CA. Should I go for the Med DV letter than? Okay I just went back to verify and I don't know what happened but here's how it's listed for each CRA and it was paid 2/23/2009 to the CA:

EQ: MEDICAL CONSUMER DISPUTES - REINVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS Unpaid

TU: Placed for collection (showing unpaid)

EX: Seriously past due date / assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's internal collection department (showing unpaid)

So now only the EQ is showing a dispute and says it's still in progress! Ugh, okay maybe I need to start back at the "PRE-HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER". What do you think?

ETA: I should add that I have done Step 3 "HIPAA Letter to OC" but have not done the follow-up step as they just received my letter today. Once I get the green card back should I proceed with the Step 3 "FOLLOW-UP DISPUTE LETTER TO THE CRA"? I wasn't sure since I talked to them on the phone and she didn't seem to think they were in violation given her argument with me. Or should I start back at the PRE-HIPAA Medical Dispute letter?

Message Edited by takingcontrol on 03-24-2009 12:34 PM

Message Edited by takingcontrol on 03-24-2009 12:42 PM

Re: Help, not sure next step???

fused — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:43:21 GMT

Is the collection paid?

Re: Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:52:23 GMT

Yep, I paid the CA in full on 2/24/09 before I knew about the HIPAA process.

Re: Help, not sure next step???

fused — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:55:52 GMT

Wow, I'm blind as a bat!

When you say you didn't receive full validation from the CA, what did they send you, if anything.

Re: Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:01:22 GMT

LOL! Nah, sorry I have a lot going on in this thread already.

They sent me a letter saying it was in response to my paid collection. They sent an account sheet that was mostly blacked out with patient name and date of service and the amount. That's why I said not full validation because it didn't have my signature, my payment or anything further but that's why I moved on to the OC letter because I assumed it was validation enough to move on. Maybe I was wrong there???

Re: Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:42:35 GMT

bump please

Re: Help, not sure next step???

fused — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:42:15 GMT

I hate to say this, but you will have to wait six months (or longer) and start the whole HIPAA process over. Since your med collection is marked as verified, the CRA will not investigate a new dispute without new information and you cannot provide them with any.

Re: Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:44:46 GMT

But if the collection is showing unpaid and it really is paid, isn't that considered new information? If not then I'll just wait the 6 months but hopefully I can push it through on that. We are closing on a house in a couple weeks and I need to have it show at least paid to do that.

Re: Help, not sure next step???

fused — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:55:32 GMT

Will your lender accept a statement on the CA's letterhead stating the collection has been paid?

Re: Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:33:40 GMT

I'll have to check, as long as it goes through automatic underwriting I think I'll be okay. That may be my only option at this point. Thanks for your help!

Re: Help, not sure next step???

fused — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:37:07 GMT

Good luck!

Re: Help, not sure next step???

takingcontrol — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:42:42 GMT

Thanks I'll keep you posted.