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Need to improve credit quickly. Must re-fi before August 1.

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Anonymous
Not applicable

Need to improve credit quickly. Must re-fi before August 1.

I am just not understanding how the steps in the HIPPA process fit together, and because of my time crunch, I am concerned that it won't work for me.

 

I have about four medical collections, all small, (largest is 110 and I can pay them).  I was going to follow the normal PFD process, because I didn't think this forum applied to me.  (I don't have a debt problem, but a credit score problem.

 

The normal FCRA rights still apply here, right?  So those rules can be followed?

 

Which method will give the quicker and most reliable results?

 

My session is limited to 15 minutes, so I need to be abrubt.

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

 

Message 1 of 6
5 REPLIES 5
fused
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Need to improve credit quickly. Must re-fi before August 1.

Refi a house I assume? How old are these med collections? That is, when were the dates of treatment?
Message 2 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Need to improve credit quickly. Must re-fi before August 1.

 Yes, it is a house re-fi.  I have a balloon with no reset.  My principal balance is $22K, and I have $8 K in cash that I can pay down the amount with, so I really only NEED $14K.   I am trying to get a Home Equity line of credit, to avoid fees.

 

 

There are three medical collections showing on my Equifax report.

 

The dates of first delinquency, as shown on the report are May 2004, May of 2005, and febuary of 2006.

 

The second is an eye exam, by an optometrist, and the third is for dentistry, so I am not quite sure if they are covered by HIPPA.  But the optomitrist is reporting as  medical/health careunder the Creditor classification.

 

These two are also for services at a school clinic.  The dentist is at a medical school, so there is a hospital affiliation.  The optometry was at a university school.

 

 

I have since had a lot more dental work done, and for larger procedures.  It was truely an oversight that I didn't pay this bill, so I was going to ask for a goodwill deletion.  I believe this was paid earlier this year, since I was getting other work done.  I paid the clinic, and not the agency.  But I don't want to foul things up for myself with too many different things going on.

 

The other two are unpaid.  (Well, I thought I paid the optomitrist, but I may not have, because I wanted my insurance billed.)

 

Am I better to do FCRA or HIPPA?  Once again, it is my timeline I am dealing with here.

 

Thanks!

Message 3 of 6
fused
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Need to improve credit quickly. Must re-fi before August 1.

The FCRA, FACTA, and HIPAA apply with med collections. August 1st might be cutting it close. PFDs are dangerous with med collections. Even if you have the PFD in writing on the CAs letterhead, if they in turn refuse to delete, your stuck and you lost any protection you had under HIPAA because you signed a contract with the CA. Bad, Bad, Bad!!
Message 4 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Need to improve credit quickly. Must re-fi before August 1.

One is actually paid (I am 99% sure.)  I paid with the original creditor.  Does just saying that I am disputing this debt."  mess me up under HIPPA?  I am not actually disclosing anything, in my point of view, except for my credit report, which is NOT my medical information.

 

This paid item has a report date of July 2006, and I believe that I paid it during late 2008, so I don't know if having my report updated would help my score at all.

 

 

What do you think you would do in my situation?

 

Message 5 of 6
fused
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Need to improve credit quickly. Must re-fi before August 1.

Having a collection "update", even if paid, will hurt your scores.
Message 6 of 6
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