topic Re: Medical Collection in Rebuilding Your Credit

Medical Collection - Contacted CA - Any experience doing this?

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:15:46 GMT

I've spoken with the CA regarding the medical debt I have. They told me they will not PFD the debt. Needless to say, I became very upset and explained the whole thing shouldn't have been my responsibility, should have been paid by workers comp, etc. etc. and that I'm only paying it to get it off my credit score.

She stated that she didn't know it was a workers comp situation, and in that case, she would remove it but I would need to make the payment first. She refused to send a letter stating that fact but advised me that she would personally remove it and that I should send it to her attention. She also stated that if I was uncomfortable, I could write something in the memo field to the effect that "cashing this will remove from CR." While I know that's not binding, I really don't see any other option. Any advice before I send the check off?

Message Edited by Tons_of_Debt on 08-05-2008 03:15 PM

Re: Medical Collection

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:30:02 GMT

Did you try sending the Pre-HIPPA letters?

You should go this route first. I had two medical collections on my CRs and I sent the pre-HIPPA letters and they deleted them from my CRs.

There is a thread on here that goes over this -- I'm not "board savy" enough to figure out how to link you to it, but here is the jist of what happened:

I sent the CRA the Pre-HIPPA letter and they responded by sending me a letter with the OC and the OC account number -- I then in turn sent the payment along with the HIPPA letter to the OC and they deleted all derogs on my CR.

Maybe one of the monitors can link you to it.

I wouldn't send payment without some kind of agreement in writing. I learned the hard way that what they tell you over the phone is not binding even if you get their name and extension. I had a CA agree to PFD and when I sent the payment they never did the PFD and now it sits on my CR as paid after charge off.

Message Edited by crazymumof4inpgh on 08-05-2008 06:30 AM

Re: Medical Collection

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:41:31 GMT

Ok, so I should deal with the OC only?

Re: Medical Collection

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:53:41 GMT

I've read through all the HIPPA info, I simply don't understand it.

The debt is mine, I never paid it, I asked CA for PFD and they accepted over the phone, but refused to send written documentation until AFTER I paid. I don't have any idea what my next step is...

How do I get them to remove something that is my valid debt? I did state in the letter that if they don't accept in writing within 15 days I will request DV. I don't really see the point in DV though as I know the debt is mine.

Re: Medical Collection

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:53:57 GMT

I'm digging through old threads and this one seems to be very helpful.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=rebuildingcredit&thread.id=19350

I'm not sure if I did this thread linking thing correctly, so I appologize if it doesn't work. If you just sift through some of the old threads though, a lot of them give really great advice on how to deal with medical collections.

Good luck!

Re: Medical Collection

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:03:11 GMT

agh, I contacted the CA by mail and by phone. :-( am I out of luck with any HIPPA complaint?

Re: Medical Collection

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:20:56 GMT

Just want to make sure I understand this correctly:

1. Write Pre-HIPPA to CRA requesting dispute.

2. Once debt is DV'd, then send Hippa letter with check to OC.

3. Once check is cashed, debt should be deleted, if not, send additional HIPPA letter.

I sent a PFD to CA, am I out of luck w/ HIPPA?

:-(

Re: Medical Collection

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:27:35 GMT

crazy,

that is verryy encouraging to hear from someone that the hipaa process worked for them. It makes me want to get busy. I have sent out my first pre hipaa letter but I have several for DH I need to do as well. Thanks for sharing!!

Tons, I had the same question because I paid the CA. Happydays said to go ahead and do the hipaa process. Good luck to you!!!

Re: Medical Collection - CONTACTED CA... AGH!

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:42:42 GMT

Is it necesarry to send these CMRRR? I'd rather save the money if possible and as I'm sending to CRAs I don't know if this is necessary... if not, can I fax them?

Re: Medical Collection

fused — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:15:00 GMT

Tons_of_Debt wrote:

Just want to make sure I understand this correctly:

1. Write Pre-HIPPA to CRA requesting dispute.

2. Once debt is DV'd, then send Hippa letter with check to OC.

3. Once check is cashed, debt should be deleted, if not, send additional HIPPA letter.

I sent a PFD to CA, am I out of luck w/ HIPPA?

:-(

1.) Yes, you MUST do this first via CMRRR

2.) No DV going on here, if the CRAs verify the debt, then you write Letter #2 with insert "A" and payment and send to the OC

3.) Hopefully, yes. If not, let us know and we go to level 3

4.) Your probably not out of luck assuming you did NOT DV the CA

Re: Medical Collection

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:54:22 GMT

I did not DV the CA... I sent the PFD letter (see below) and told them if they didn't respond within 10 days I *would* DV. I spoke with a woman on the phone (I know, I know, I learned from this not to talk to them on the phone) who told me they were sending validation (though I never requested it)

Agh, did I ruin my chances? I sent pre-HIPAA letter to 3 CRAs just now... I hope I didn't waste the money to do so. :-( Very worried!!!

This letter is to inform you that the validity of this debt is disputed. I am not sure of the account number, as I have never heard from you regarding this account. The account number I have is the one listed on my Trans Union credit report – which omits the last few digits.

In the spirit of compromise, I am willing to pay this account IN FULL if you agree to immediate deletion of this account from any and all credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). The purpose of this settlement is merely to have this item removed from my credit files. It is not to be construed as an acknowledgment of liability for this debt in any form.

If you agree to the terms and accept this agreement, certified funds for the settlement amount of four hundred forty-eight dollars ($448.00) will be sent to XXX in exchange for full deletion of ALL references regarding this account from my credit files and full satisfaction of the debt.

Collection Agency agrees to delete ALL information regarding this account from the credit reporting agencies WITHIN TEN CALENDAR (10) DAYS following receipt of payment as specified above and will not discuss the terms of this settlement with anyone, excluding your client on this account. If contacted by any third party, including credit-reporting agencies, Collection Agency will not acknowledge that any settlement offer was made, accepted or executed and will, in fact, deny knowledge of any such account.

If you agree to the above terms, please prepare a letter on your company letterhead explicity agreeing to the same terms as the above settlement offer and have it signed by an authorized representative of Collection Agency. It will be implied that this letter shall constitute a legally binding contract, enforceable under the laws of my state.

Your response must be postmarked no later than 15 days from your receipt of this settlement offer or this offer will be withdrawn and I will request full validation of this alleged debt, as provided for by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Please address all correspondence regarding this account to:

Re: Medical Collection - Contacted CA -- Any Experience doing this?

Tons_of_Debt — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:15:13 GMT

Does anyone have experience contacting the CA first (by mistake) and still having the OC remove the debt?

Re: Medical Collection - Contacted CA -- Any Experience doing this?

fused — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:23:32 GMT

IMO, you do not lose protection under HIPAA by DVing or requesting a PFD, others disagree. Happy and I will discuss this once she's back online.