I work for a medical bill collection agency!

[resa31]

Yes it's true I work for a collection agency that collects on past due medical bills, not happy about it but it pays the bills. I can answer most of your questons and give advice or help (if I do not have the answer I can probably get it for you........

[WSPanicKC]

Yes it's true I work for a collection agency that collects on past due medical bills, not happy about it but it pays the bills. I can answer most of your questons and give advice or help (if I do not have the answer I can probably get it for you........

 

 

Awesome of you to offer your help.

 

Starting basic: your opinion of the best approach to getting a deletion after full payment, without any pay for delete agreement? Have you had a chance to review the HIPAA method here?

 

I'm new here also, so still learning the basics.

[john12]

ic sytems i had a medical collection on my credit report for 97$ my ex wife had a dem proceduer for my daughter had no idea this accout existed never recieved anything. i saw it on my CR and idsputed it a couple of times then i called the OC and payed them they called ic sytems and they said they would not delet it. if i knew about it i would have paid it before it went to collections but what do i do now i would really like this removed. any help would be great thanks

[sara2007]

John........ have you read all the threads on HIPPA? Whychat has posted a ton of very good information on how to remove a paid medical collection. Check out the pinned threads under "Medical".

 

Resa.........that's generous of you to offer and I'm curious what brought you to the credit boards?

[resa31]

Ok sorry for waiting so long to reply, first off there are many ways to get something deleted even after being paid, your first and best way is if the collection agency had a bad address.... that is one of the ways i would get something removed (not updated) so remember that argument when speaking with a debt collector. Also there is the HIPPA Ltr which is your best alternative because once it is paid you have to ask the original creditor ex. hospital, physican services, etc... to have debt removed off cbr.... also you would be surprised what medical information the collection services have all this is illegal info for the creditor to give... There were some accts where i could them them every single thing that was preformed on them along with the break down of cost... But there were some where i had no info for them and would have to order an itemized statement (now here again is a situation because at times the client would send my office the itemized statement (even though I did not send it someone in my office did) again HIPPA violation. But there were some clients who sent this themselves. But first off I would send a ltr of dispute because if it does not reach you in 30 days then they did not provide you with the info in time.... Keep in mind also that if you had insurance and you gave this insurance info to all that can bill you (do not ignore ltrs from client and think insurance has handled) but if something is reported and insurance ends up paying then the debt has to be removed from cbr. Also with insurance is if they had insurance info and was not paid and denied for timely filing then per laws debt is clients responsiblilty to write off and is not collectable.

 

I came across this site because I was researching good dispute letters because of a collection agency really violating my rights.......(working for a collection agency has opened my eyes on how much collection agency violates consumers right, not only from getting the calls but you would be amazed at the things i've seen and heard) but I came across this site because I googled something and seen this website and was interested on what people were saying....(actually I wondered if my agency was talked about, lol) .

 

And I have not really looked into the HIPPA here, but there are many ways to get a deletion other than HIPPA. When a collection agency says that they can not delete report this is not true there are many reasons they can delete a report.

[Anne843]

Please tell me how to get some deleted. I am very new here...just signed up tonight. We are trying to refinance our home and I had creit pulled today. We had on bill for 433.00 from my doctor that insuarance took to long to pay. I have since paid it off myself, but it still on my report. What should I do? Second one is a 60.00 derm bill thart is my sons. He was 24 and living on his own at the time. He paid it off and has the receipt and it is still showing on my report. Third, I got a call from At&T wanting me to switch my long distance company. This was a few yearsd ago. They stated we could cancel anytime within the next 30 days. I told my hubby about it when he go home and he said not to use it so I cancelled it the very next morning. They have charged me 77.00 for something I thought was a trial and I DID cancel within their time frame. What can I do to get these off?? Please help!!

Thanks

[theshoediva]

OP what do you think I should do next?

 

Get the Hospital to agree in writing to have the CA delete this TL?

 

Heres my post: http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=322870

[erinty]

i have a question a few months ago i looked at my cr and saw something on ther from ord&d i called them up and asked them what this was the bill was for $1132 they told me it was from 5/03 for my son. I couldnt understand why as my kids have always been covered under medicaid. I asked them why i never recieved a bill they said the hospital sent several bills out to me, I asked to what address they said to an address that i lived at prior to my son even being born. Today i verifeid through the county that my son did in fact have health insurance at that time, so I faxed them a print out of the information. My question is: I highly doubt medicaid is going to pay a bill from that long ago, so is this debt valid eventhough i never knew about it until recently and he actually did have health insurance at the time.

 

thank you very much for your help

[westboundroad]

Resa, I just got a notice from a CA yesterday, I thought insurance had taken care of but I found out the portion in collections was not covered. What should be my first step. Should I just pay the hospital direct or negotiate to pay if I get in writing that it will not be reported to the CRA? Please help, I have been able to slowly clean up my credit after a hard divorce don't need another blemish on it.

 

Thanks

[jim5518]

i have a question a few months ago i looked at my cr and saw something on ther from ord&d i called them up and asked them what this was the bill was for $1132 they told me it was from 5/03 for my son. I couldnt understand why as my kids have always been covered under medicaid. I asked them why i never recieved a bill they said the hospital sent several bills out to me, I asked to what address they said to an address that i lived at prior to my son even being born. Today i verifeid through the county that my son did in fact have health insurance at that time, so I faxed them a print out of the information. My question is: I highly doubt medicaid is going to pay a bill from that long ago, so is this debt valid eventhough i never knew about it until recently and he actually did have health insurance at the time.

 

thank you very much for your help

Go back to your local health dept and ask them for help.It is not legal to put a medicaid bill in collection.

[degreenyc]

Ok sorry for waiting so long to reply, first off there are many ways to get something deleted even after being paid, your first and best way is if the collection agency had a bad address.... that is one of the ways i would get something removed (not updated) so remember that argument when speaking with a debt collector.

 

I don't understand. Tell the CA that he has the wrong address? Can you elaborate on what to do exactly?

[jack1212]

i have a question a few months ago i looked at my cr and saw something on ther from ord&d i called them up and asked them what this was the bill was for $1132 they told me it was from 5/03 for my son. I couldnt understand why as my kids have always been covered under medicaid. I asked them why i never recieved a bill they said the hospital sent several bills out to me, I asked to what address they said to an address that i lived at prior to my son even being born. Today i verifeid through the county that my son did in fact have health insurance at that time, so I faxed them a print out of the information. My question is: I highly doubt medicaid is going to pay a bill from that long ago, so is this debt valid eventhough i never knew about it until recently and he actually did have health insurance at the time.

 

thank you very much for your help

Go back to your local health dept and ask them for help.It is not legal to put a medicaid bill in collection.

 

I dont doubt that, but do you have law or documentation to support that? I new to the medical aspect. I would realy love to know where i can find this. I need it bad.

 

Also guys, i think the OP is gone. (IMO)

 

Jack1212

[jack1212]

My bad. I just saw that it said "medicaid", not medical.

 

Sorry

[erinty]

Thank you i did find information verifying that it is illegal to put medicaid bill in collection. This item will be removed from my credit report. Thanks again

[jack1212]

where did you find that?

[sduros]

I'am in collections for hospital bills. One agency agreed to delete my name from the bureau's but the other agency wants me to pay and not delete my name or history from the system. What should I do?

[Stryker]

I'am in collections for hospital bills. One agency agreed to delete my name from the bureau's but the other agency wants me to pay and not delete my name or history from the system. What should I do?

 

Hello.

 

make sure to read the stickies up top for some great beginner info.

[erinty]

I found the info about this law at www.familiesusa.org where it talks about fair hospital billing. But now i have a problem. I faxed info to the credit agency stating my son had active medicaid at the time. The ca contacted medicaid about paying the bill now. They said no (of course). I said ok fine i already knew medicaid would not pay a bill from so long ago, but according to this law NYS Public HEalth Law Section 2807-K amendment, adding subsection 9-a) it states "No collection is permitted against people eligible for Medicaid at the time of service", they said so what that doesn't apply to this bill you still owe us this money. The hospital won't talk to me about it they said it is out of there hands. The ca is getting annoyed with me they just say we talked it ove with the attorney and we are not doing anything illegal to you and you must pay this money. I need some legal advice i contacted legal aid in my area but they have like a month waiting list. The county social service agency are no help they dont ever call you back. I need to know if this law really does apply to me. Like when it was passed or ammended. ANd if so how can i enforce it. I asked the cust service rep to tell their attorney the info about the law and tell me specifically why it does not apply to me, she said he will not do that it is not his job to do what i ask him to do. I am so stuck and frusstrated. Thanks

[leight]

Help! I got preapproved for a mortgage in early march but the conditions were to pay two medical collections. No biggie since there were both small. One I knew was a billing issue- ER fee which should have been waived since I was admitted but to ANOTHER hospital since the one I went to didn't have a bed in the specialty (kidney) that I needed. That is being taken care of .

 

 

The second was higher at $110 so I sent a PFD (before reading the newbie section in full) I got a rather accusatory letter from the CA saying that it was valid and they would not settle (50% offer) . They claimed that I spoke to someone in Dec of 2004 and requested validation then which was sent. That never happened because I would have remembered that and when they sent me a copy of the bill this time (it was lab fee for a cyst that was removed during surgery) I knew immediately that it should have been submitted under my worker's comp case from 2004. I moved from NY to Fl in 7/2004 so I'm guessing I never got the CA's notices and it was a small amt so they probably never sent additional notices-or I would have responded. Now that I contact them they have my new address so I don't think I will be able to prove that they didn't send it to me. I'm willing to pay it to just get it taken care of before we buy a house but it really annoys me because I know it should be off my credit. Any suggestions?

[Why Chat]

For all newbies, the way to PAY a medical bill is to use the HIPAA letter program. This gets it paid, gives you proof for any mortgage lender, and gets it off your reports.

 

Opt out

Get old addresses deleted if possible

Send the CRA's the medical dispute letter on any and all medical accounts, paid or unpaid, valid or not.

http://whychat.5u.com/hipaadisp.html

 

If the account is fully verified by the reporting CA you can pay it to the ORIGINAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER with the HIPAA letter insert "a"

http://whychat.5u.com/hipltr.html

 

Your copy of the money order, made to the OC health care provider will be evidence for your mortgage lender that the bill has been paid.

 

ANYTHING else will, at best, get you a "paid" collection on your reports.

 

The person who started this thread who works for a collection agency MAY be well intended, however any advice to pay any CA is , in my opinion BAD ADVICE.

 

All newbies should look carefully at any posts giving any advice and see how long the person posting has been a member of this forum.

[theshoediva]

WhyChat, I know I've seen posts by others on here and I'm digging now to find them. I followed your process to the tee. I sent a DV letter to the CRAs. Then I sent the dispute letter to the OC with a bank cashier's check using insert A. I followed up to the CRAs with the follow-up letter, using the cover letter to send also to the OC.....and NOTHING HAPPENED! Well, the CA did update as "PAID".

 

So now I'm in the process of drafting the "fraudulent verification" letter and I must admit that I'm annoyed.

 

Before I begin bouncing off the walls and fire off a letter to the AG.....isn't there something I can refer to legally regarding the OC depositing the check (because they did! I have a copy from my bank with their endorsement, not signature just a stamp, on the back!). I read somewhere the language you suggested another member use in reference to their doing that, but I can't frigging find it and I'm getting annoyed!

 

Oh, I said that already. Sigh

[Why Chat]

WhyChat, I know I've seen posts by others on here and I'm digging now to find them. I followed your process to the tee. I sent a DV letter to the CRAs. Then I sent the dispute letter to the OC with a bank cashier's check using insert A. I followed up to the CRAs with the follow-up letter, using the cover letter to send also to the OC.....and NOTHING HAPPENED! Well, the CA did update as "PAID".

 

So now I'm in the process of drafting the "fraudulent verification" letter ??? What is THAT?? Are you talking about the "courtesy letter"??and I must admit that I'm annoyed.

 

Before I begin bouncing off the walls and fire off a letter to the AG.....isn't there something I can refer to legally regarding the OC depositing the check (because they did! I have a copy from my bank with their endorsement, not signature just a stamp, on the back!). I read somewhere the language you suggested another member use in reference to their doing that, but I can't frigging find it and I'm getting annoyed!

 

Oh, I said that already. Sigh

[theshoediva]

WhyChat, I know I've seen posts by others on here and I'm digging now to find them. I followed your process to the tee. I sent a DV letter to the CRAs. Then I sent the dispute letter to the OC with a bank cashier's check using insert A. I followed up to the CRAs with the follow-up letter, using the cover letter to send also to the OC.....and NOTHING HAPPENED! Well, the CA did update as "PAID".

 

So now I'm in the process of drafting the "fraudulent verification" letter ??? What is THAT?? Are you talking about the "courtesy letter"??and I must admit that I'm annoyed.

 

Before I begin bouncing off the walls and fire off a letter to the AG.....isn't there something I can refer to legally regarding the OC depositing the check (because they did! I have a copy from my bank with their endorsement, not signature just a stamp, on the back!). I read somewhere the language you suggested another member use in reference to their doing that, but I can't frigging find it and I'm getting annoyed!

 

Oh, I said that already. Sigh

No, I mean THIS letter:

 

To Whom It May Concern:

 

This letter is being sent to you in response to your recent fraudulent verification of an unknown medical account on my Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian reports. This is a notice that your reported claim is disputed.

 

Under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), I have the right to request validation of the debt. I am requesting proof that I am indeed the party you are reporting on this debt, and there was some contractual obligation which was binding me to pay this debt to you.

 

Please provide copies of:

 

o Agreement with your client that granted you the authority to collect on this alleged debt, or proof of acquisition by purchase or assignment.

o Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she agreed to pay the creditor and as this is a medical account a copy of any HIPAA authorization.

 

Also, please be advised that this letter is not only a formal dispute, but a request that you cease and desist any and all reporting activities. Your receipt of this letter will be considered as granting consent to the taping of any and all telephone calls made to me by you.

 

I require compliance with the terms and conditions of this letter within 30 days or a complete withdrawal, in writing, of any report to any credit reporting agency. In the event of your noncompliance, I will reserve the right to file charges and/or complaints with appropriate local, state, and federal authorities, to include the BBB and State Bar associations for violations of the FDCPA, FCRA, and Federal and State statutes for fraudulent slander of credit and illegal reporting activities on an account subject to the HIPAA and (my state) medical privacy rules.

 

I also hereby reserve my right to take private civil action against you to recover damages. Thank you for your cooperation with this urgent matter.