Need help with medical collections, please.

[Anonymous]

I have a question about the HIPAA process.  I have about 5 medical collections on my credit reports.  I know that they are all valid.  I don't want to "dispute" them because I know that they are bills that I owe.  If I dispute, they will update my account and my credit score drops even more, right?  My question is - can I just pay off the account to the original creditor and skip the first dispute letter?

Also, I have already done the opt-out thing, and I have also updated my info with the CRAs.

Thanks in advance for any advice that you can offer. 

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that you are starting a paper trail. HIPAA is for paid medical collections.

The reason for the first dispute:  The CRAs are by law suppose to contact the OC not the CA  to find out the amount owed. But they never do.

[Anonymous]

So, I'm a little confused on where to start . . . if they aren't paid and I know they're valid debts, should I just send the balance owed to the OC with restrictive endorsement and then begin the HIPAA process after the funds have cleared?

[Anonymous]

That is what I would do. But keep in mind that payment will not start a paper trail.   Your paper trail starts with the first dispute.

If payment is made before starting the process.....wait untill the checks are cashed and then send the first dispute...handwritten.

If it is not deleted then send the OC letter using the insert (paid)

Message Edited by HappyDays on 04-03-2009 10:28 AM