Trying to find DOFD

[atl]

I have an old medical bill that is in collections and I am trying to find out the DOFD on the bill. My CR shows the DOLA as "not reported". I have not paid one cent on this account. My questions are:

1. The SOL has to do with the DOFD, not when the bill was reported to the collection agency, correct?

2. Who do I call to find out the DOFD? OC or the CA? (The CA is reporting, not the OC)

[atlastontheroad]

atl wrote:
I have an old medical bill that is in collections and I am trying to find out the DOFD on the bill. My CR shows the DOLA as "not reported". I have not paid one cent on this account. My questions are:

1. The SOL has to do with the DOFD, not when the bill was reported to the collection agency, correct?

2. Who do I call to find out the DOFD? OC or the CA? (The CA is reporting, not the OC)

If it is a hospital bill, check your state's SOL, some states do not have a SOL for hospital bills. 

1.) For medical collections, DOFD is the date service was provided.

2.) Do NOT call the CA! 

3.) Call the OC, ask for the date.  See if you can pay the debt to them.  I've seen people here suggest that you not mention that there is a CA, it's a fine line, but it's a place to start.

IME: small medicals seem generally to be more easily dealt with (easy by comparison to others) by retracing back to the service provider. 

[atl]

Thanks for the reply!

I just called the OC for my medical bill, and the lady said that they do not own the account anymore I asked if there was any way to pay them instead of the CA and she said that "you would have to discuss that with the collection agency".

Not good.

[atlastontheroad]

---

atl wrote:
Thanks for the reply!

I just called the OC for my medical bill, and the lady said that they do not own the account anymore I asked if there was any way to pay them instead of the CA and she said that "you would have to discuss that with the collection agency".

Not good.

---

Some members have had success with asking the OC to pull the account back from the CA.  Alternatively, I've read (though not experienced) that some have also paid the OC to pull the account back, covering the debt and the fees associated with selling it to the CA.

In any case, I think I would maybe walk into the OC and see if they are able to work something out with you.  What do you have to lose?

Personal interaction works better for me than snail mail form letters.  YMMV.

atlast......

[Anonymous]

---

atl wrote:
Thanks for the reply!

I just called the OC for my medical bill, and the lady said that they do not own the account anymore I asked if there was any way to pay them instead of the CA and she said that "you would have to discuss that with the collection agency".

Not good.

---

If they have sold the debt, then it is out of the hospital's hands. They can not pull the account back or accept payment. (From what I've learned)

SOL goes from DOLA. DOFD is what the CRTP is based on and for medical that is date of service.

As the other poster stated, some states do not have SOL on hospital.

You might google "whychat hipaa" and read through it.

Message Edited by sidewinder on 04-21-2008 05:39 AM

[llecs]

If the CA is on TU and/or EX then you can pull the CR directly from them (not here) and there's a line item that says "estimated date for removal is xx/xx/xxxx" or something like that. Take that date and subtract 7 yrs and that is DOFD as recognized by the CRAs.

You can also call to get the same results. If you are looking for EQ, you would have to call.

[Anonymous]

---

llecs wrote:

If the CA is on TU and/or EX then you can pull the CR directly from them (not here) and there's a line item that says "estimated date for removal is xx/xx/xxxx" or something like that. Take that date and subtract 7 yrs and that is DOFD as recognized by the CRAs.

You can also call to get the same results. If you are looking for EQ, you would have to call.

---

True........just want to point out that without getting DOFD from the OC, you have no way of knowing/proving it if the CA has re-aged the debt.

In a case where the OC is not reporting, you would have to contact the OC to get DOFD.

[atl]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just called again, and talked to another lady (OC). I told her how I wish I didnt have to deal with the CA because they were really rude and arrogant on the phone and they were threatening me, and she hesitated but she said, "I normally dont do this, but I will send you out a bill, and I will tell the collector that you are paying us insead"!!

I was extremely surprised this happened. I was under the impression that they didnt have the power to do this, but I was proven wrong.

Thank you all for your advice and help!!

[atlastontheroad]

---

atl wrote:
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just called again, and talked to another lady (OC). I told her how I wish I didnt have to deal with the CA because they were really rude and arrogant on the phone and they were threatening me, and she hesitated but she said, "I normally dont do this, but I will send you out a bill, and I will tell the collector that you are paying us insead"!!

I was extremely surprised this happened. I was under the impression that they didnt have the power to do this, but I was proven wrong.

Thank you all for your advice and help!!

---

Score one for the good guys!  I'm so glad you've had success!

Honestly, I've found that if I deal honestly with the OC personally, I get much faster, more responsive results.

atlast.....