Is it too late?

[Anonymous]

I had a dispute with an OC that over charged me in 2006 for an MRI, bone density scan etc. according to my insurance company. Because I had not met my annual deductible I was responsible for the bill but the amount the OC charged was more than my insurance company would pay based upon their contract rate. The OC agreed to adjust the amounts and send a new statement. Unfortunately this was all done by phone and I never received a bill until I was notified a year later that it was turned over to a CA which reported it to all 3 CRA's. I explained by phone what happened and the CA agreed to completely remove the report if I paid them in full. Even though the amount was more than I should have been billed I agreed to pay it just to get it off my CR. They would not put the agreement in writing but I did record the conversation. I know now I should never have trusted them to do the right thing but I figured if they got payed what would be their incentive not to do what they committed to. I know now I was wrong but my question is, will it do any good to send a HIPAA letter to the OC or CA to get them to remove this from my CR? Thank you for any advice you can provide me.

[fused]

Welcome to the forums!

So this collection is reporting a $0 balance?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it shows paid with 0 balance which doesn't help my score. They agreed to remove it totally and when I called them about it still showing on my report they gave me the control number from the CRA's and told me I had to take it up with them. Basically it appears they did nothing more than report that I paid it which does not help the damage caused to my score and is not what they agreed to. When the CA first contacted me I asked for a copy of the invoices from the OC so I could see if they made any of the adjustments to their bill I was promised. The CA agreed but it took them 3 months to get me a copy of the invoices from the OC. When I brought this to their attention they agreed they should not have reported me to the CRA's during that period and told me if I paid the balance they would remove it entirely from my report. Since I had never dealt with a collection agency before and didn't see any reason not to believe them I foolishly agreed. They obviously did not hold up their end of the agreement and now won't return my calls. Thanks again for any help and advice.

[fused]

Ok! Before I can offer you some advice, I need to know a few things. Aside from this med collection and any late payments (if you have any), are your reports free and clear of collections, charge-offs and other major derogs?

[Anonymous]

I may have a late payment or two in the last 25 years but never 30 days or more and I have certainly never been turned over to a collection agency or had any write offs etc. Please let me know if there is anything else I can provide you that might help. Thank you again.

[fused]

Since your reports are clean, you can skip the first two steps of the HIPAA process. I would be begin by doing the following.

Send the pre-HIPAA dispute letter to the CRA ('s) CM (no RR, this is the only letter in the HIPAA process where you will not send it CMRRR) and wait up to 35 days for the results of the their investigation(s). Be sure to handwrite this letter (and the envelop too) using personalized stationary and teal blue ink. If your med collection is deleted, you're finished. If its not, post again in this thread for further advice.

PRE-HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER

[Anonymous]

The day after getting your response I received a letter from the CA that reads " This letter is to advice you that the above referenced accounts (they listed the 4 accounts that they reported to the CRA's) have been deleted from the Credit Bureaus. Please be aware that it may take some time for the credit bureaus to update their records accordingly. If you have any questions etc. etc." and it is signed by a woman with the title of Unit Manager. When I read the letter I wasn't sure what to do so I did nothing waiting to see if they would com off my report. I think the reason they sent this letter was due to the fact that I had made several phone calls and left messages that weren't returned so they sent the letter instead of calling. According to the CA they processed an automated request on 3/1/09 to delete these accounts from my CR. As of today, there has been no change in my credit score according to my myFico account but the accounts are showing as paid as of 3/1/09. The exception is that the Myfreecreditreport.com web site site now shows my credit score went back up almost a 100 points I think because I ordered my credit report from them and filed my original dispute on their web site. My question is, should I continue to wait a few more days to give the CRA's time to complete their investigations from my online disputes or should I go ahead and send the hand written letter that you recommended with a copy of their letter?

Again, thank you for your assistance. MB

[fused]

I would wait to see what happens, sometimes it can take 30-60 days for the deletes.