Medical Collections Question....

Anonymous · ‎07-28-2008

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.....

Anonymous · ‎07-28-2008

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

www.whychat.5u.com

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

Anonymous · ‎07-28-2008

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.

fused · ‎07-28-2008

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.

Anonymous · ‎07-28-2008

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?

Anonymous · ‎07-28-2008

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.

Anonymous · ‎07-28-2008

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??

fused · ‎07-28-2008

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 · ‎07-28-2008

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.

Anonymous · ‎07-28-2008

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