thanks a bunch, I really appreciate it.
I'll go whole-hog and buy some personalized stationary and write these by hand and send them out on Friday morning. I know this can be a very slow process, so I might as well do it right. 
Starting Score: 540 EQ 517 TU on 11/17/08
@fused wrote:Opting out is important. It helps prevent CRAs and your creditors from sharing your personal information with parties that have NO business to it. I do not recommend HIPAA process if you do not opt out first.
I would handwrite both the envelop and the pre-HIPAA dispute letters, I just haven't update the thread to include this.
If you can afford to pay the unpaid collection, you can start the HIPAA process on this one too.
Alrighty, sounds good to me. I will start with the opt-out process as suggested.
I just opted out of my credit reports and printed the confirmation page.
The only two creditors I am in "good" standing with are BoA and Sallie Mae. So these are the only to creditors I should opt-out of, correct?
I have three medical collections on my CR, each from different CA's. I am creating this thread to track my experience through this process so that I know I am doing each step correctly, and also so that others may learn more about how it works.
One is unpaid and $170 from MAF Collection Services. I have never communicated with this CA in any form. This account is reporting identically to all 3 bureaus.
FEB 16 2009
I have WRITTEN BY HAND (with back-up copies) the "PRE HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER" to each CRA. I plan to send these out tomorrow certified mail (not CMRRR).
FEB 20 2009
Mailed Pre HIPAA Medical Dispute Letter CM today to all three bureaus.
MAR 01 2009Pulled my reports today from annualcreditreport.com. This account is "under investigation" for all three bureaus. So far so good.
The second is unpaid and $839 from NCO Financial Services. I have never communicated with this CA in any form. This account is reporting to EX only.
FEB 16 2009
I have WRITTEN BY HAND (with back-up copies) the "PRE HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER" to EX. I plan to send this out tomorrow certified mail (not CMRRR).
MAR 01 2009Have not mailed the Pre HIPAA Med Dispute Letter yet. I want to have the $839 before I start moving on this one. I just paid off a $2,000 collection to get it deleted and brought my util to under 8%, so funds are a little tight this month.
The third is paid and $38 from Reliable Credit Services. Back in DEC 08, before I knew any better, I paid this collection. It has updated to show "paid" on my EX and EQ reports. TU has no record of this account.
FEB 16 2009
I have WRITTEN BY HAND (with back-up copies) the "PRE HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER" to EX and EQ. I plan to send these out tomorrow certified mail (not CMRRR).
FEB 20 2009
Mailed Pre HIPAA Medical Dispute Letter CM today to EX and EQ.MAR 01 2009
Pulled my reports today from annualcreditreport.com. IT IS GONE FROM BOTH EX AND EQ!!! I have not received anything in the mail. I hope it stays gone. I have also GW'd this CA, so I am not entirely sure which action caused the deletion, but honestly couldn't care less.
MAR 02 2009
Received a letter today from EQ. "We have researched the Collection Account blah blah blah. The results are: This item has been deleted from the credit file." Woohoo!
MAR 09 2009
Received an updated complete report from Experian in the mail. This account is not on it.
I am really looking forward to seeing my scores when BoA updates my utilization.
I hope this thread serves as a useful guide for those who need to get through the HIPAA process as well
UPDATE!!!
One is unpaid and $170 from MAF Collection Services. I have never communicated with this CA in any form. This account is reporting identically to all 3 bureaus.
FEB 16 2009
I have WRITTEN BY HAND (with back-up copies) the "PRE HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER" to each CRA. I plan to send these out tomorrow certified mail (not CMRRR).
FEB 20 2009
Mailed Pre HIPAA Medical Dispute Letter CM today to all three bureaus.
MAR 01 2009
Pulled my reports today from annualcreditreport.com. This account is "under investigation" for all three bureaus. So far so good.
MAR 16 2009
Amount "verified." Sent "HIPAA Letter to the OC" and payment with restrictive endorsement.
APR 23 2009
The OC FINALLY deposited my check.
APR 27 2009Sent "Follow up Dispute Letter" to all 3 CRA's CMRRR.
MAY 04 2009DELETED FROM TU AND EQ!!! Still waiting to hear from EX!
The second is unpaid and $839 from NCO Financial Services. I have never communicated with this CA in any form. This account is reporting to EX only.
FEB 16 2009
I have WRITTEN BY HAND (with back-up copies) the "PRE HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER" to EX. I plan to send this out tomorrow certified mail (not CMRRR).
MAR 01 2009Have not mailed the Pre HIPAA Med Dispute Letter yet. I want to have the $839 before I start moving on this one. I just paid off a $2,000 collection to get it deleted and brought my util to under 8%, so funds are a little tight this month.
The third is paid and $38 from Reliable Credit Services. Back in DEC 08, before I knew any better, I paid this collection. It has updated to show "paid" on my EX and EQ reports. TU has no record of this account.
FEB 16 2009
I have WRITTEN BY HAND (with back-up copies) the "PRE HIPAA MEDICAL DISPUTE LETTER" to EX and EQ. I plan to send these out tomorrow certified mail (not CMRRR).
FEB 20 2009
MAR 01 2009
Pulled my reports today from annualcreditreport.com. IT IS GONE FROM BOTH EX AND EQ!!! I have not received anything in the mail. I hope it stays gone. I have also GW'd this CA, so I am not entirely sure which action caused the deletion, but honestly couldn't care less.
MAR 02 2009
Received a letter today from EQ. "We have researched the Collection Account blah blah blah. The results are: This item has been deleted from the credit file." Woohoo!
MAR 14 2009
Got a revised CR in the mail from EX. This account is nowhere to be found!
***DELETED***