topic Re: Medical Collections Question.... in Rebuilding Your Credit

Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:01:57 GMT

I have 6 seperate accounts listed with Equifax that are marked as medical collections, and at a minimum they each list the clinic or hospital name and the doctors name. These are all being reported by CBS Collections (CA), who just happen to have an office right next door to ACRANET (owned by Equifax) here in Spokane. I have disputed all of these items with Equifax and they say they are verified through the EOscar system. What can I do to get these removed or back to the OC? I can and will go down and talk to them at CBS, as it is just a few blocks from me but just need to sound like I know what I am talking about or I don't think I will get very far. I am also willing to pay all the OC if needed, but want to approach this in the right way. Thanks all.....

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:11:24 GMT

Use the Hipaa Process...don't contact the CA...

www.whychat.5u.com

Message Edited by slyhouse08 on 07-28-2008 10:11 AM

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:30:40 GMT

Okay I think I have it...... write the OC and use the form letter for the site you noted. Wait my 10 days for response, and then send 2nd letter if needed. DO NOT CONTACT THE CA.

Does this change if the medical debts have gone into a judgment? I have one judgment and all the bills included in the case (not the same as above) are medical.... again all note the name of provider, clinic, etc.

Thanks a bunch and I will give it a go.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

fused — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:50:47 GMT

GettingBetter66 wrote:

Okay I think I have it...... write the OC and use the form letter for the site you noted. Wait my 10 days for response, and then send 2nd letter if needed. DO NOT CONTACT THE CA.

Does this change if the medical debts have gone into a judgment? I have one judgment and all the bills included in the case (not the same as above) are medical.... again all note the name of provider, clinic, etc.

Thanks a bunch and I will give it a go.

Hold the elavator! Don't do anything yet. Names of clinics and providers CANNOT be reported, they must be coded (masked), this is a clear violation of the FCRA. I will discuss your case with one of the other mods and we, they or I will get back with you. Just hang tight.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:00:07 GMT

Okay, Fused ... this is what I see at TrueCredit:

Creditor Name: WEST ASSET
Account No.: XXXX***
Original Creditor: MED1 GULF COAST HOSPITAL HCA
Responsibility: Individual
Condition: Paid
Original Balance:$196
Balance: $0
Date Opened: 07/30/2005
Date Reported: 06/01/2008

So I guess my question, which may be similar to the OP's situation is does WHERE we see it matter? Meaning, if I can see it at TC, does that mean other people can, too???

Or is this masked in the REAL CRs?

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:01:34 GMT

Just to be sure we are on the same page.... my credit report from Equifax is listing: Deaconess Hospital..... Dr. Nancy Starr MD.... Rockwood Clinic..... etc. as the original holder of the debts. It is also listing a judgement that includes medical bills listed by clinic..... Is that what you thought I meant? Just want to have all my ducks in a row. Thanks again and let me know what you think.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:05:06 GMT

Okay, NOW I went to Transunion and started a dispute (so I could get a quick look-see at our CR). This is what I see on the official, non-TC, CR from TU:

WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT Balance: $0 Date Verified: 06/2008 Original Balance: $196 Original Creditor: MED1 GULF COAST HOSPITAL HCA Past Due: $0 Pay Status: >Payment After Charge Off/Collection Account Type: Open Account Responsibility: Individual Account Date Closed: 01/2006 Date Paid: 01/2006 Loan Type: Collection Agency Attorney Remark: Account information disputed by consumer
Date placed for collection: [ 07/2005] Estimated date that this item will be removed: 09/2011

I understand that they can't show this info since it violates HIPAA (right?), but my question is, I think, CAN they see it?? Or is this something only WE can see??

Re: Medical Collections Question....

fused — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:11:01 GMT

GettingBetter66 wrote:

Just to be sure we are on the same page.... my credit report from Equifax is listing: Deaconess Hospital..... Dr. Nancy Starr MD.... Rockwood Clinic..... etc. as the original holder of the debts. It is also listing a judgement that includes medical bills listed by clinic..... Is that what you thought I meant? Just want to have all my ducks in a row. Thanks again and let me know what you think.

CAs are not suppose to list the OC's name on credit reports, it's both a HIPAA private health

information (PHI) violation and a FCRA violation. Again, please wait until we get back with you. We need to discuss the judgment aspect in all of this.

FCRA

§ 605. Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports [15 U.S.C. §1681c]

(a) Information excluded from consumer reports. Except as authorized under subsection

(b) of this section, no consumer reporting agency may make

(6) The name, address, and telephone number of any medical information furnisher

that has notified the agency of its status, unless--

(A) such name, address, and telephone number are restricted or reported using

codes that do not identify, or provide information sufficient to infer, the

specific provider or the nature of such services, products, or devices to a

person other than the consumer; or

(B) the report is being provided to an insurance company for a purpose

relating to engaging in the business of insurance other than property and

casualty insurance.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

fused — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:12:02 GMT

Wonderin wrote:
Okay, NOW I went to Transunion and started a dispute (so I could get a quick look-see at our CR). This is what I see on the official, non-TC, CR from TU:

WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT Balance: $0 Date Verified: 06/2008 Original Balance: $196 Original Creditor: MED1 GULF COAST HOSPITAL HCA Past Due: $0 Pay Status: >Payment After Charge Off/Collection Account Type: Open Account Responsibility: Individual Account Date Closed: 01/2006 Date Paid: 01/2006 Loan Type: Collection Agency Attorney Remark: Account information disputed by consumer
Date placed for collection: [ 07/2005] Estimated date that this item will be removed: 09/2011

I understand that they can't show this info since it violates HIPAA (right?), but my question is, I think, CAN they see it?? Or is this something only WE can see??

No, they are in violation...period. Anyone who yanks your report will see this.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:15:35 GMT

No problem. I will just wait to see what you think before I start doing anything. Thanks

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:15:46 GMT

Yeesh, Fused, EVERY SINGLE medical collection I have (and one that hubby has) all shows the original creditor. In my case, I have 4, one of which is paid. In hubby's case, the one reporting is paid.

It's been like this as long as I can remember. And we just sat around, doing nothing about it.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

southernficoaddict — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:18:24 GMT

Great! 4 of my collections say the OC name, the other 2 are masked. All are med. collections. I cant wait to hear the outcome of this.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:21:16 GMT

@southernficoaddict wrote:
Great! 4 of my collections say the OC name, the other 2 are masked. All are med. collections. I cant wait to hear the outcome of this.

Me, either!! A new one was placed on my CRs about a month ago and it's one of the guilty ones!!

Made my score drop about 50 points.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:27:11 GMT

Just went and took a peek to be sure and this is how everything is listed...... just diffent OC's in each case:

Agency Address: 1303 W 1st Ave
Spokane, WA 992014113
Date Reported: 07/2008

Date Assigned: 04/2007

Creditor Classification: Medical/Health Care

Creditor Name: STARR NANCY MD

Account Number: 36XXXX

Account Owner: Individual Account

Original Amount Owned: $294

Date of 1 st Delinquency: 01/2006

Balance Date: 07/2008

Balance Owned: $344

Last Payment Date: N/A

Status Date: 07/2008

Status: D - Unpaid

Comments: Consumer disputes - reinvestigation in progress

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:28:20 GMT

I'm also very interested....In my case, I have 3 medical collections. On Eq and TU, the OC is listed. On my Experian directly pulled online from Experian I don't see the name of the OC, HOWEVER, my pull from MYFICO for Experian does have the OC name on the report.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:29:56 GMT

fused wrote:

GettingBetter66 wrote:
Just to be sure we are on the same page.... my credit report from Equifax is listing: Deaconess Hospital..... Dr. Nancy Starr MD.... Rockwood Clinic..... etc. as the original holder of the debts. It is also listing a judgement that includes medical bills listed by clinic..... Is that what you thought I meant? Just want to have all my ducks in a row. Thanks again and let me know what you think.

CAs are not suppose to list the OC's name on credit reports, it's both a HIPAA private health
information (PHI) violation and a FCRA violation. Again, please wait until we get back with you. We need to discuss the judgment aspect in all of this.

FCRA
§ 605. Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports [15 U.S.C. §1681c]
(a) Information excluded from consumer reports. Except as authorized under subsection
(b) of this section, no consumer reporting agency may make
(6) The name, address, and telephone number of any medical information furnisher
that has notified the agency of its status, unless--
(A) such name, address, and telephone number are restricted or reported using
codes that do not identify, or provide information sufficient to infer, the
specific provider or the nature of such services, products, or devices to a
person other than the consumer; or
(B) the report is being provided to an insurance company for a purpose
relating to engaging in the business of insurance other than property and
casualty insurance.

Fused~ I too am a victim of this. Is there a letter out there that I could use because this also has tanked my scores.

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:39:05 GMT

GettingBetter66 wrote:

I have 6 seperate accounts listed with Equifax that are marked as medical collections, and at a minimum they each list the clinic or hospital name and the doctors name. These are all being reported by CBS Collections (CA), who just happen to have an office right next door to ACRANET (owned by Equifax) here in Spokane. I have disputed all of these items with Equifax and they say they are verified through the EOscar system. What can I do to get these removed or back to the OC? I can and will go down and talk to them at CBS, as it is just a few blocks from me but just need to sound like I know what I am talking about or I don't think I will get very far. I am also willing to pay all the OC if needed, but want to approach this in the right way. Thanks all.....

First.........NEVER talk to or contact a CA about any medical debt!!!!!!!

Everything listed by the CA with this info. is a violation of HIPAA law!!!!!!!

Your first step id to file a dispute with the Per-HIPAA letter!!!

Then wait for the dispute to close!!

Step # 2 send the OC the HIPAA letter with the correct insert.....paid or full payment ...or not mine....which ever fits your need!!

federal HIPAA law states that the CRAs must contact the OC not the CA to obtain the correct info.

As we all know this is not always done....I would call the OC and ask for the complete amount owed on each account....they can NOT be combined!

This way you know the amount is correct & you can use the letter to the OC to PIF

It is up to the OC to delete the reporting of the CA...............There are more letters available but you should not need them......................let me know if you do!

Pre-HIPAA letter

Dispute CA reporting with all CRAs reporting!

Date:

Dear CRA,

My name is xxxxx xxxxxx , my SS # is xxx xx xxxx.

I am sending this dispute certified mail # xxxx to make sure you receive it.
I have no knowledge or records of account # xxxxx reported by xxxxxxx




Please advise me as to the name and address of the medical provider, the date and type of service,and to whom the service was provided, as any account I might have had would be obsolete.




If you can obtain this information, I also would need the name of the person providing this data, and the manner in which it was provided in order that I may pursue additional legal remedies.

Very truly yours,
xxxxxx
Copies of this correspondence and a copy of the remittance check may be used for any further actions with State or Federal agencies .......................................................................... .............................................. (insert b) This account is in error. It has either been paid, is a billing error,or was not transmitted in a timely manner to my insurance company. It is not a valid bill and has been properly disputed, therefore I request complete deletion from all your agent (name of CA)'s records and archives. .......................................................................... ............................................... (insert c) This is not my account, It has been billed to me in error. and has been properly disputed, therefore I request complete deletion from all your agent ( name of CA)'s records and archives. .......................................................................... ................................................ INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOLLOW UP TO "HIPAA" LETTER TO ORIGINAL CREDITOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
ALL FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE SENT CMRR

1-
Make sure any money order has been deposited ,or you have received a return receipt from your letter if insert "b" or "c" were used.

DO NOT use a money order!!! you may use a personal check.....made payable to the OC!! on the back of the check write....*for deposit only*

2-
Send the follow up letter posted below.
3-
Send a copy of the follow up letter to the OC (legal dept) with the cover letter,(follows letter to CRA)
4-
If the CRA responds with verification from the CA or the OC, file a complaint with the HIPAA administration for the OC's violation of the privacy rules of HIPAA,and with any available State's Medical Privacy Act administration.
If they do NOT respond with any verification and the account is NOT deleted, file a civil suit against the OC and the CA for their liability for violations of the FCRA and FACTA.

5-
DO NOT under any circumstances, write or correspond with the CA regarding this matter, any correspondence or communication that YOU instigate, while not a waiver of your privacy rights under HIPAA, will impede any cause of action you might have as the non permitted "communication" would have come from YOU.
Please understand, the CA may have NO liability under HIPAA, they are NOT the health provider. They are not in any way covered under the provisions of the act for "old accounts", however, if the account is "new" they ALSO must abide by all the privacy act rules,if THEY violate, they can also be named in your filed complaints.

Letter To Cra After HIPAA Letter
Use this AFTER you have received the green card back and received verification that any money order has been deposited (if using insert "a")

To Equiexptu

Sirs;

This is a dispute of account information on my credit report, (report #)
Please re-investigate (or investigate if you have not previously disputed) the following disputed account on my credit report.
(give CA name and acct. #)
Please furnish me with verification that (CA name) is reporting this account from (OC name) for ($ amount) in my name.
I require the identification of the reporting party and the date of their verification.
Please be advised that this request is being made in accordance with the requirements of the FCRA and FACTA and the reporting privacy rules of the HIPAA and (your State)'s Medical Privacy Act.

Sincerely,

Ido N Tnow

(Send a copy to the HIPAA Compliance Dept. of the OC health provider with the following cover letter)

Cover Letter
Your Name
Address

HIPAA Compliance Office
OC Name
Address

Re: Letter of (date of orginal letter)
Account #(original account #)

Dear Sir or Madam;

Enclosed please find a copy of my letter(s) of dispute to (CRA (s)).
Please note, I am providing you with an additional opportunity to have this account removed from (CA) and deleted from my credit reports if you have not already done so.
I have no desire to cause you unnecessary difficulty,however,this entry of my private health care information,on my credit report, for an account that no longer has ANY permitted business purpose waiver since there is NO payment due, has caused injury to my credit reputation,and has left me no choice but to proceed with the following:

Upon my receipt of the FCRA and FACTA mandated reply from (CRA),if the account has NOT been deleted in its entirety,I will take appropriate action to enforce my rights under the HIPAA, FCRA and FACTA rules and (your State)'s Consumer Protection and Medical Privacy statutes.

Sincerely,

Because you hav 6 accounts with the same CA send 1 HIPAA letter for EACH account #....they can all be mailed together CMRRR together!

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:45:18 GMT

As to the judgment........I am not an attorney so I can only tell so much.

First any personal info. mention of hosp. Dr. or anything related to health condition is a Violation......it doesn't matter if it is reported in a judgment or CR by a CA!!!!!!!

I would first....call the courthouse and pay for a certified copy of the judgment!! You must have that.

I would check out good lawyers that have handled cases of HIPAA violations!!!!!

This is a Federal volation & needs to go to federal court where it will have a bigger impact!

HIPAA has more power then any other LAW!!!

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:48:22 GMT

wonderin.....first....send the Pre- HIPAA dipute letter

Wait until the dispute is completed then send the OC the next letter (insert) PAID

Everything goes CMRRR Never fax anything medical!

Re: Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:54:12 GMT

HappyDays wrote:
wonderin.....first....send the Pre- HIPAA dipute letter

Wait until the dispute is completed then send the OC the next letter (insert) PAID

Everything goes CMRRR Never fax anything medical!

Thanks for all the help. But which letter do I send as I already disputed with the CRA's and they came back as VERIFIED. This is how it appears on my cr's:

Collection on debt to: Baptist Medical Cntr Beaches

The collection agency "Gulf Coast Collection" was hired to collect a debt of $75 originally owed to "Baptist Medical Cntr Beaches" on account number "XXX".

Collection agency [?] Gulf Coast Collection Original balance [?] $75 Current balance [?] $75 Status [?] Account seriously past due date/account assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's internal collection department Date assigned [?] Aug 11, 2005 Date reported [?] Not Reported Date last active [?] Not Reported Date paid [?] Not Reported Date closed [?] Not Reported Original lender [?] Baptist Medical Cntr Beaches Account number [?] XXX Type of account [?] Unknown Account holder [?] Not Reported Type of credit [?] Not Reported Payment status [?] Not Reported Largest past balance [?] Not Reported Amount past due [?] Not Reported Account descriptions [?] Not Reported

Collection on debt to: Baptist Medical Cntr Beaches

The collection agency "Gulf Coast Collection" was hired to collect a debt of $75 originally owed to "Baptist Medical Cntr Beaches" on account number "XXX".

Collection agency [?] Gulf Coast Collection Original balance [?] $75 Current balance [?] $75 Status [?] Account seriously past due date/account assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's internal collection department Date assigned [?] Mar 03, 2005 Date reported [?] Not Reported Date last active [?] Not Reported Date paid [?] Not Reported Date closed [?] Not Reported Original lender [?] Baptist Medical Cntr Beaches Account number [?] XXX Type of account [?] Unknown Account holder [?] Not Reported Type of credit [?] Not Reported Payment status [?] Not Reported Largest past balance [?] Not Reported Amount past due [?] Not Reported Account descriptions [?]

Not Reported

Do I have grounds to send a letter asking for deletion?

topic Re: Medical Collections Question.... in Rebuilding Your Credit

Medical Collections Question....

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INSERTS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOLLOW UP TO "HIPAA" LETTER TO ORIGINAL CREDITOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

(Send a copy to the HIPAA Compliance Dept. of the OC health provider with the following cover letter)

Re: Medical Collections Question....

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Re: Medical Collections Question....