Medical Collection - Contacted CA - Any experience doing this?

[Tons_of_Debt]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[Tons_of_Debt]

Ok, so I should deal with the OC only?

[Tons_of_Debt]

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.

[Anonymous]

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!

[Tons_of_Debt]

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

[Tons_of_Debt]

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? 

:-(

[Anonymous]

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!!!

[Tons_of_Debt]

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?

[fused]

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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? 

:-(

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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