WhyChat HIPPA Process Question

[Anonymous]

I can't resist any longer. Why in the heck does it specify on WhyChat's page that the envelopes be hand written, the stationary personalized, the ink be purple or teal, and preferably italicized? I notice those directions are not included in the stickied version on this site. Does the originator have a wacky sense of humor, is a little over the top, or am I clueless to an obvious answer?

Another thing I noticed was that WhyChat's page says to NOT send it RR, but it's recommended here to send them CMRRR. Why the differing advice? I was also wondering if it matters of you select online notification and PDF receipt or the actual green card?

I have 6 letters I need to send out Monday (2 small med collections, but each on all 3 reports). I plan on paying them in full if verified, but I just don't want to screw up the process that can lead to them disappearing after I PIF. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Interesting, I would also like to know why the difference. I was going to type in black and sign with pen.

[fused]

It doesn't matter the paper (or it's color) or writing style when sending anything to the CRAs, in reality, they could care less. When sending correspondence to OCs, some think it can make a difference. I say, do what you want. The important things are the order and the manner in which you follow the HIPAA letter process. Last time I checked, whychat is still recommending CMRRR on her site. CMRRR while expensive, is tangible proof that the CRAs and OCs have received your correspondence. I do not recommend using CM, regular mail, email or faxes when using the HIPAA process, you must have a paper trail and proof that correspondence has been received.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the clarification fused.

[Anonymous]

Thanks fused. I'll definitely be sending CMRRR. It's still a small price to pay for doing it correctly and preserving your rights. This was the part that confused me from their site:

"DO NOT send it RR -WAIT FOR THE FULL RESPONSE FROM THE CRA BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THE HIPAA LETTER PROCESS"

I thought RR would mean "return receipt", but maybe it means something else? It's not in the abbreviation list so I wasn't positive.

Any opinion on getting the receipt online (PDF) or waiting for the traditional snail mail green cards?

*slaps self on the head* Of course meant HIPAA, not HIPPA. Note to self...sleep first and then post lol.

[fused]

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Optimistic08 wrote:

"DO NOT send it RR -WAIT FOR THE FULL RESPONSE FROM THE CRA BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THE HIPAA LETTER PROCESS"

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Not sure why whychat is saying this as far as the RR part goes. It's my contention that CMRRR is tangible proof that you have made VERY serious attempts to have the med collection handled properly using your protection under HIPAA. If after writing all letters, a paid med collection doesn't get deleted, you'll be armed with a whole mess of documents and green cards to send along with a formal complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. Hopefully, it nevers has to goes this far, but some have had success at this level in the HIPAA letter process.

As for waiting for the the response from the CRAs before initiating the HIPAA letter process, I wholeheartedly agree with whychat and here is why. If the CRA verifies the med collection, this proves that the OC is communicating (sharing) your PHI (protected health information) with a CA. And if the med collection is paid and verified, this is a HIPAA violation by the OC. Waiting for the dispute results is crucial in the HIPAA letter process, it can prove violations on paid med collections. 

[fused]

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Optimistic08 wrote:

Any opinion on getting the receipt online (PDF) or waiting for the traditional snail mail green cards?

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Not sure on this one, I'm not familiar with online PDF receipts. Now I should get some sleep...or maybe some beer.

[Anonymous]

First a beer and then sleep lol. Thanks for all the good advice!

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I am trying to fix my husbands credit. We got hit with two hospital bills that were never sent to our insurance and we were never billed until we received a collection notice. We didnt have the money to cover it since none of it was covered on our insurance and I was trying to fight it. It had been over a year so the insurance wouldnt take the claim. Pretty much everyone I talked to said I had to suck it up because they screwed up? Anyways I am trying the HiPPA why chat process and did everything and the equifax results just came back verified that the accounts belong to us and remains unpaid?. The hospital cashed our checks and letters were sent, opted out all that good stuff.. what do i do next? Thanks for any input.

[bahbahd]

That person is saying "don't RR" simply because the RR costs money and you don't care your if they received the letter, you care when and how they respond to you. So, the person is trying to save the RR fee.

Some people also hold the belief that hand written, teal or purple ink on funky paper will help prevent letters from being duplicated with faxes, copy machines and expecially scanned and/or digitized with Optical Recognition Software. This becomes less and less true as equipment and software gets better.