Unsure what to do next in HIPPA process

[Anonymous]

I have2 paid medical collections (paid in 2/09 prior to finding this site) listed on EX & EQ  and have started the HIPPA process to have these deleted, however, I've run into a road block and I'm not sure what to do next. Both collections are from different OC 's & deal with different CA's.

This is what I have done: 

 - I have completed steps #1 & #2 of the HIPPA process. 

 - I have sent the PRE HIPPA letters to the CRA's and received statements back verifying     the paid collections (neither deleted)

 - I have sent the HIPPA letter to the OC's (a & b)

        * OC (a) responded with a short letter basically stating that the CA has updated their            accounts to reflect a zero balance and my account has been updated on their                end. 

        * OC (b) letter stated "The xxxxxx (CA) is a Business Associate with xxxxx (OC) for            the purpose of bill collection.  As such, the transfer of your daughter's billing                    (medical bill was for her) information is appropriate and permitted under                        HIPPA"...... Doesn't the association end when the bill is paid??

 - I recieved a CMRRR letter from the CA.  I did not contact them at all - I'm assuming the OC (b) did.  The letter basically validates my paid account status with the CA.  I did not respond to the CA nor did I talk with the CA about this letter.

I'm not sure where to go with this next.  Any ideas would be very greatly appreciated! 

[fused]

You are only to send the OC the HIPAA letter if the CRA verifies your collection and the CA sends you a complete and accurate validation of the debt. Strangely you got validation by way of sending the OC HIPAA.

Clearly there is an active business relationship between the OC and the CA. The proof is in the letter from the OC to you. Make sure you save EVERYTHING.

Did you send this dispute letter CMRRR FOLLOW-UP DISPUTE LETTER TO THE CRA after you got the green card from the HIPAA letter to the OC? 

[Anonymous]

Fused,

Thank you for the response.  I agree, the CRA's are clearly stating they still have a business relationship with the CA's and it is not their responsibility to remove the paid collection.

No, I have not sent the follow up dispute letter to the CRA CMRRR.  I do have a letter from Equifax that does verify that the 2 items listed with them belong to me along with the name/address of the  CA, name of the OC, amount owed, paid status & that it was a medical/health care creditor classification. Does this constitute proper verification or do I still need to send the dispute letter to the CRA CMRRR (for documentation purposes?) 

If sending the dispute letter to the CRA CMRRR is my next step do I handwrite this letter and is there anything that I need to send with the dispute letter as I am asking the CRA's to reinvestigate?

Message Edited by v2009 on 03-20-2009 04:50 AM

Message Edited by v2009 on 03-20-2009 06:05 AM

[Anonymous]

Anyone?  Please?

[fused]

Send this letter  FOLLOW-UP DISPUTE LETTER TO THE CRA to the CRAs CMRRR. I'm not sure if this will get the collection deleted. The problem is you wrote the HIPAA letter to the OC when you should have sent the Alt Med DV letter to the CA. Write the letter above and lets see what happens.

[Anonymous]

Thank you fused.  I have the letters already started.

Just out of curiosity, what happens if the CRA's reply validates what I already have received from them previously and these paid meds collections are not deleted?

[fused]

We will worry about that later. It may involve complaints against the CRAs with the FTC and/or HIPAA complaints against the OC.

[fused]

You're Welcome! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Fused,

I received a response back from Experian as well as Equifax in regards to the above paid medical bills.  Experian "updated" all 4 accounts adding the OC's names to them.  Equifax updated the 2 accounts as well.  What should be my next step in this process?

[Anonymous]

any ideas on what to do next?