Question on Medical Collection

[MrProsperity]

I am helping a friend dispute a collection that does not belong to him. His minor daughter had a dentist bill of $200 that went to collection. The collection showed in his report, he disputed through CRA. He received a letter from the CA yesterday with detail of the bill and summary of services provided by the dentist. Shouldn't someone have authorized the release of those records? The insurance is in his name. Any advice is appreciated.

[fused]

MrProsperity wrote:
 

the CA yesterday with detail of the bill and summary of services provided by the dentist. Shouldn't someone have authorized the release of those records?

Did this summary of services include procedure codes with a description and diagnosis codes with a description?

[MrProsperity]

The summary has the date, patient name, provider name, description of services and the amount.

[fused]

How about a diagnosis code with a description? Here's an example:

ICD9: 722.71 Cervical Disc Syndrome with Myelopathy

[MrProsperity]

Okay - I think this is it - 07140 Extraction Tooth M ?

[fused]

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MrProsperity wrote:
Okay - I think this is it - 07140 Extraction Tooth M ?

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This is a procedure code and this can be shared with a CA. It's my understanding that a diagnosis cannot be shared with a CA. When was your friend made aware of this collection? His daughter went to the dentist, did he sign some forms making him the guarantor? How is this not his?

[MrProsperity]

His wife, they are now separated, signed the stuff. Our state is a community property state, that might be where he is stuck. He is more concerned with getting the collection off his report because he needs new housing due to the separation. So, maybe a PFD is the way to go next?

[fused]

I have very little knowledge on community property state laws. Before you do anything wait for others to chime in. I have also asked another member who is quite knowledgeable on this subject to chime in when they log-in. Hang tight!

[Anonymous]

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MrProsperity wrote:
His wife, they are now separated, signed the stuff. Our state is a community property state, that might be where he is stuck.

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Has he contacted the provider and asked whether they had anything with his signature on it? If so, and if he's sure he never signed anything, then it seems the estranged wife might have committed a crime in signing his name. Definitely something he'll wanna bring to the attention of his attorney whom I suspect will make copious use of at trial and/or in negotiations.

At the time of the procedure, was he covered by insurance, was the daughter covered, and did the claim go to insurance?

Which state as community property laws do vary from state to state?

[MrProsperity]

Idaho is the state, he thinks she signed her name as the guarantor, not his, but the dental insurance was in his name. A portion of the services were covered by his insurance.