Please Help a Newbie- removing a collection that not my fault!

[mb311]

Hello all-first time poster here in need of help. I have read many threads trying to figure this out and I must say this site has a wealth of information and have learned a ton in a few hours. My topic description sums things up but here is a more detailed explanation.

 

Im working on my wifes behalf on this one. In mid 2005 she had lab work done (grand total of a whopping $140) and provided insurance info & her copay. The lab mis-filed something with the insurance so insurance would/could not pay. My wife was later contacted by the lab and re-filed, and they still messed something up. A couple months went by and a CA started contacting her. They finally seemed to get the information correct and insurance paid there portion in Oct 05 leaving a small balance which my wife promptly paid. As of Feb 06 a collection is on her report for this bill and is marked as "PAID". So a clerical error is really honking up our plans to buy a house right now. So we are kinda about this.

 

So far Equifax has verified this as accurate through our dispute. Yesterday we contacted the CRA for advice. They told her to contact the CA to get a letter stating they would agree to remove the collection from her CR. Once they agree the CRA would remove it.

 

So what are the chances the CA will recognize the situation as not being our fault since insurance eventually paid the bulk of the bill?

 

I read over the HIPPA stuff and our situation does not seem to apply. What else can be done if/when the CA says no?

[mb311]

A bit more information after a few more hours of reading.

 

Since the insurance eventually paid the OC and the remaining balance was paid to the OC by my wife I believe the HIPAA letter will work. However everything is currently paid as of Feb.

 

As far as the med letter to the CRA, they already verified it as accurate so should I just go straight to the HIPAA letter process?

[94B10]

A bit more information after a few more hours of reading.

 

Since the insurance eventually paid the OC and the remaining balance was paid to the OC by my wife I believe the HIPAA letter will work. However everything is currently paid as of Feb.

 

As far as the med letter to the CRA, they already verified it as accurate so should I just go straight to the HIPAA letter process?

 

 

How long ago did you dispute??? The HIPAA letter program is a process, you can't just jump to the letter.The reason you send the medical dispute letter on Whychat's site first after you opt out and delete old addresses is because:

 

First, it weeds out any CA that has reported your account without any REAL assignment or authorization from the OC.

Second, it weeds out accounts that were written off, or discounted by the OC and are not valid.

Third, IF the account is verified, it gives you the data you need to send the HIPAA letter with appropriate "insert".

 

94

[mb311]

A bit more information after a few more hours of reading.

 

Since the insurance eventually paid the OC and the remaining balance was paid to the OC by my wife I believe the HIPAA letter will work. However everything is currently paid as of Feb.

 

As far as the med letter to the CRA, they already verified it as accurate so should I just go straight to the HIPAA letter process?

 

 

How long ago did you dispute??? The HIPAA letter program is a process, you can't just jump to the letter.The reason you send the medical dispute letter on Whychat's site first after you opt out and delete old addresses is because:

 

First, it weeds out any CA that has reported your account without any REAL assignment or authorization from the OC.

Second, it weeds out accounts that were written off, or discounted by the OC and are not valid.

Third, IF the account is verified, it gives you the data you need to send the HIPAA letter with appropriate "insert".

 

94

 

94 Thank you for the reply. I just got the dispute letter back a few weeks ago and I believe it takes care of the items you mentioned. The letter states the following;

 

We have researched the collection acct # ..... The results are: CSC has verified that this item has been reported correctly. If you have additional questions please contact:

 

Then it gives the collection agency address and phone #. Also included was the Credit report with a collection summary showing the dates the OC, CA etc.

 

So is this adequate? Wont I get the same reply with the specific CRA letter you mentioned?

 

Thanks again for the help.

Edited September 6, 2006 by mb311

[94B10]

94 Thank you for the reply. I just got the dispute letter back a few weeks ago and I believe it takes care of the items you mentioned. The letter states the following;

 

We have researched the collection acct # ..... The results are: CSC has verified that this item has been reported correctly. If you have additional questions please contact:

 

Then it gives the collection agency address and phone #. Also included was the Credit report with a collection summary showing the dates the OC, CA etc.

 

So is this adequate? Wont I get the same reply with the specific CRA letter you mentioned?

 

Thanks again for the help.

 

The medical dispute letter sent to CRA's on Whychat's site asks for these things:

 

Please advise me as to the name and address of the medical provider, the date and type of service,and to whom the service was provided.

If you can obtain this information, I also would need the name of the person providing this data, and the manner in which it was provided in order that I may pursue additional legal remedies.

 

Are you saying you got those things listed above with the dispute letter you sent?

 

 

94

[Why Chat]

If you recently disputed it, even though it wasn't the "medical dispute letter", you have enough to send the OC the HIPAA letter with insert "b".

 

Redisputing with the medical dispute letter NOW might just get you a "previously disputed" reply.

 

Since the CA is on record of having "verified" the account, and no change was made, the OC is liable for their reporting.