What to do?

[komatoez]

I am hoping to buy a house in the next few months and checked my credit, which is doing OK.  My current FICO score for Equifax is 744 and TU is 716.  The situation is that I have two separate collections that each only show on 1 CRAs report (TU and Experian).  They are both for medical bills that have been paid.  I also have two BofA credit accounts that both had serious delinquincies over 5 years ago that are reported to all 3 CRAs (both of these have been paid and accounts closed).  I would like to fix one of these baddies, with my belief being that if I fix one, it will be enough to push the score for either TU or Equifax over 720, allowing me to get a better rate.

My question is, how do I proceed with this while minimizing the risk of my score going lower due to CAs reporting to additional CRAs?  Which of these 3 accounts do you think would be most worthwhile to GW?

1.  BofA- 2 accounts each with 120+ day delinquincies from 5.5+ years ago that report to 3 CRAs.  These accounts were paid off through hardship program in 2011 and closed  This to me is the least risky since all 3 CRAs already have the info, but the least likely to be successful since it's BofA.

2. Medical account (paid) that is listed on the credit report as coming directly from the hospital listed on Experian only.  I feel like this might be my best option, since it's directly from a small rural hospital.  I'm nervous though that they will decide to report to all CRAs, thus ruining my one good score.

2. Medical account through a CA (paid) listed on TU only.  I'm nervous though that they will decide to report to all CRAs, thus ruining my one good score.

Any advice that any of you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

[NJTurnpike]

There is a HIPPA process that people have used to get medical collections removed from their reports. Google "hippa process to remove collections" for more information.

Additionally, you can contact the OC (original creditor) directly and ask them to remove the item from your credit report since it has been paid. Most hospitals would be willing to do that without a problem. I would suggest going this route first.

If you're diligent, you can likely get all the medical items off your reports.

Regarding BoA, since its a 120+ late from 5.5 years ago, its not likely messing much with your scores now. They should age off in a year and half anyway. Lates generally have less affect on your score the odler they get, and as they approach the 7 year mark, they have little to no affect with creditors who do manual reviews.

[ktl72455]

2. Medical account (paid) that is listed on the credit report as coming directly from the hospital listed on Experian only.  I feel like this might be my best option, since it's directly from a small rural hospital.  I'm nervous though that they will decide to report to all CRAs, thus ruining my one good score. Send Good Will letter

2. Medical account through a CA (paid) listed on TU only.  I'm nervous though that they will decide to report to all CRAs, thus ruining my one good score. Send Good Will letter

Medical Bills are some of the easiest to get removed after it is paid.

[komatoez]

In my GW letters, should I ask if they would remove the collection from all 3 CRAs, or just the one that is listed on?

[guiness56]

I would say all 3 just in case.

[DaBears]

A 120 day late is a MAJOR derogatory and can afftect your credit score for up to 7 yrs.