Just to make sure I've got this right.......

[930S]

In 2007 I had an Emergency room visit. After paying several bills in cash (Out of work / no insurance at the time) I thought all was done. Then other allegedly related bills started coming my way. One from a doctor in the ER, one from a lab etc, etc.

 

I was dumbfounded as I didn't know if these were legit or not.

 

Long story short I paid all bills but ignored the last, largest bill as I was skeptical of it's validity. This one was sent to a CA.

 

When answering a call from this CA, I requested proof from them regarding the validity of the bill. Nothing was ever sent and I didn't hear from them for 6 months. After ignoring the incessant calls I again asked for proof and, again, nothing...for months. Finally, after a year or so my wife answers a call from them and says we wont entertain any request until we receive proof of services. They then faxed a copy of an OCP statement showing that the balance was written off. The line item description is "Collection Bad Debt".

 

So, wanting to remove this blemish from my CR I landed at this site. (Should have done it years ago) To be honest I was originally looking for a PFD approach.

 

Now, since I communicated with the CA, should I change tactics and go forward with the HIPAA Letter Program while ignoring the CA? Or is it too late?

[eazy_money]

 

DISPUTE ANY CA ACCOUNT FIRST WITH THE SPECIAL "MEDICAL" DISPUTE LETTER AS THERE MAY BE NO VALID BALANCE DUE

 

 

 

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

[930S]

DISPUTE ANY CA ACCOUNT FIRST WITH THE SPECIAL "MEDICAL" DISPUTE LETTER AS THERE MAY BE NO VALID BALANCE DUE

 

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

 

 

OK....Will do.

 

QUESTIONS: This particular unpaid collection only shows on my Experian CR. I assume I'm only writing and sending one letter. Correct?

Also, per the instructions, is Teal or Purple ink on white paper good or does the paper have to be a different shade of the ink? (Please don't laugh)

[SuperGurl72]

From what I have read you want to use paper with a design of some sort. I am just starting this myself and that is what I gathered from reading the directions on whychats website.

[Beth Lou]

I bought stationary computer paper from Walmart and then used purple ink. I also took a highlighter to certain parts, hand wrote notes in the margin, anything that would mess up their computers! I was able to get rid of some of them doing that. A lot of the CAs that i dealt with backed down once I started to give them issues. Good luck to you!

 

 

 

DISPUTE ANY CA ACCOUNT FIRST WITH THE SPECIAL "MEDICAL" DISPUTE LETTER AS THERE MAY BE NO VALID BALANCE DUE

 

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

 

 

OK....Will do.

 

QUESTIONS: This particular unpaid collection only shows on my Experian CR. I assume I'm only writing and sending one letter. Correct?

Also, per the instructions, is Teal or Purple ink on white paper good or does the paper have to be a different shade of the ink? (Please don't laugh)

[930S]

Thanks for the feedback on stationary.

 

So, I'm writing one letter? To the only CRA who is showing this particular outstanding bill. Correct?

 

Thanks again!

[Why Chat]

Thanks for the feedback on stationary.

 

So, I'm writing one letter? To the only CRA who is showing this particular outstanding bill. Correct?

Correct, this will likely get you a deletion

Thanks again!

What is "OCP"?? Is it a hospital??

What do you mean by a "large" bill, over $1,000??

 

Before you send the letter:

 

OPT OUT

http://whychat.5u.com/OPTOUTINST.HTML

Delete old addresses if possible IF you have moved since the date of service.

 

If the account is NOT deleted with the initial dispute letter to Experian, then send the reporting CA this:

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

 

and then re-dispute to Experian with this:

http://whychat.5u.com/ltrcavalhipaa.html#DISPUTE

[930S]

Thanks for the feedback on stationary.

 

So, I'm writing one letter? To the only CRA who is showing this particular outstanding bill. Correct?

Correct, this will likely get you a deletion

Thanks again!

 

 

What is "OCP"?? Is it a hospital??

Yes, it is a hospital.

 

What do you mean by a "large" bill, over $1,000??

 

I miss typed. This is the second largest bill. It's Aprox $675. (The largest was settled...unfortunately. I didn't realize the implications of them saying, "Don't have the money? No problem, can you pay this much?" and then agreeing)

 

Before you send the letter:

 

OPT OUT

http://whychat.5u.com/OPTOUTINST.HTML

Delete old addresses if possible IF you have moved since the date of service.

 

Yes, I opted out over a week ago. I have not moved since the service and the correct address is there.

 

If the account is NOT deleted with the initial dispute letter to Experian, then send the reporting CA this:

http://whychat.5u.co...cavalhipaa.html

 

and then re-dispute to Experian with this:

http://whychat.5u.co...aa.html#DISPUTE

[Why Chat]

Thanks for the feedback on stationary.

 

So, I'm writing one letter? To the only CRA who is showing this particular outstanding bill. Correct?

Correct, this will likely get you a deletion

Thanks again!

 

 

What is "OCP"?? Is it a hospital??

Yes, it is a hospital.

 

What do you mean by a "large" bill, over $1,000??

 

I miss typed. This is the second largest bill. It's Aprox $675. (The largest was settled...unfortunately. I didn't realize the implications of them saying, "Don't have the money? No problem, can you pay this much?" and then agreeing)

 

Before you send the letter:

 

OPT OUT

http://whychat.5u.com/OPTOUTINST.HTML

Delete old addresses if possible IF you have moved since the date of service.

 

Yes, I opted out over a week ago. I have not moved since the service and the correct address is there.

 

If the account is NOT deleted with the initial dispute letter to Experian, then send the reporting CA this:

http://whychat.5u.co...cavalhipaa.html

 

and then re-dispute to Experian with this:

http://whychat.5u.co...aa.html#DISPUTE

Please keep ALL your posts in ONE thread.

As some may have noticed in another thread I'm getting ready to send a HIPAA Dispute letter for a debt that a CA is handling.

 

But now I'm curious, my CR shows 4 Negative "transactions" stemming from one hospital visit...

 

1 - The Unpaid debt I'm going to dispute. (CA is NCO)

 

2 - A "settled" debt. (CA is Trans Continental)

 

3 - A PAID comment for a very small ($50) amount. (CA is Common Wealth Financial Systems)

 

4 - Appears to be a duplicate of 3 with a different acct #. (CA is Common Wealth Financial Systems as well)

 

 

In an attempt to remove should I:

 

Write a dispute letter for each of these Negative transactions and send in together in one envelope, separate envelopes...all at once?

 

- or - should I include all 4 in one dispute letter

 

- or - just deal with the Unpaid collection?

 

Thanks again for any advice!

Your initial dispute letter to each CRA should LIST all medical accounts as they appear on the report you are disputing, paid or unpaid.

Like this:

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

 

I have no knowledge or records of the following accounts on my report # xxxxx.

# xxxxx from xxxxxx

# xxxxx from xxxxxx

# xxxxx from xxxxxx

 

 

 

Please advise me as to the names and addresses of the medical providers, the dates and types of service,and to whom the service was provided, as any account I might have had would be obsolete.

[930S]

Last question for now...Promise....

 

I'm going to send three letters tomorrow. I will send them Certified Mail with NO Return Receipt Request.....I want to make double sure this is the preferred way to send....?

 

Also, I found what appears to be great stationary to use for the dispute letters. I purchased at Staples and it's called Aqua Paisley Letterhead. Bic's Mark-It, Ultrafine marker or Microsoft's Teal font color are extremely similar to the background design. See here: Aqua Paisley Letterhead example

 

Thanks again....

[930S]

Bump. I see there have been debates on this before and it does seem counter-intuitive to not have a return receipt. Anyone?

Thanks in advance.

[PunkyBrewster]

Bump. I see there have been debates on this before and it does seem counter-intuitive to not have a return receipt. Anyone?

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Instructions per Whychat's site http://www.whychat.5.../hipaadisp.html DO NOT send it RR -WAIT FOR THE FULL RESPONSE FROM THE CRA BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THE HIPAA LETTER PROCESS

 

Also, you may want to read this post http://creditboards....0 It's recent and Whychat says....READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!! Make sure you HAND ADDRESS the envelope, use personalized stationery and purple or teal font, ( preferably italic this is helps prevent the automated scanning/reading/response computer programs from "reading" your letter as they can not read handwriting or distinguish font in the same color family as a background pattern).

DO NOT send it RR -WAIT FOR THE FULL RESPONSE FROM THE CRA BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THE HIPAA LETTER PROCESS

 

I hope this helps, and Good luck! I'm currently using Whychat's HIPAA Letter Process for my husband, and I've done a LOT of searching on CB.

Edited January 21, 2012 by PunkyBrewster

[PunkyBrewster]

I MUST also add that I AM NOT giving any advice on Whychat's HIPAA Process. My intent was only to point you in the direction of your answer. Newbie here, and I don't want to step on any toes.

[Why Chat]

I MUST also add that I AM NOT giving any advice on Whychat's HIPAA Process. My intent was only to point you in the direction of your answer. Newbie here, and I don't want to step on any toes.

Thanks for the help, you are very correct and MY toes are quite comfy.

 

As to the reason for no RR on the INITIAL dispute letter, or on ANY subsequent letters going to a PO box. They have to be SIGNED FOR. This allows the CRAs to sidetrack RR disputes to the Dept. that handles disputes from lawyers and CROs ( credit repair organizations) and effectively kills the FACTA extra protection for CONSUMER disputes. In the case of RR letters to CAs, they routinely refuse to sign for them, plus if they have changed addresses the mail will not be forwarded.

[930S]

Thanks again!

 

I did send the letters as per the instructions. I'm now waiting for a response from the CRAs.

I'll report progress as it occurs.

 

Best regards...

[930S]

As I wait for letters acknowledging receipt of my HIPPA letters, I decided to get an Online account with USSA for the Credit Monitoring service. (No military affiliation required)

 

I did this for daily monitoring of my CRs as I attempt to remove the negative notations described earlier in this post.

 

I pulled the first 3 (free) reports AnnualCreditReports.com. After pulling from USSA I noticed the report format is much different from the AnnualCreditReport version....too bad as I want to be sure I'm comparing apples to apples.

 

Can anyone comment on what shows on the USSA report? Below is info pertinent to my question.

 

Under the "Credit Summary" Tab I see the following:

 

Collections

 

Experian:

Count 4

Balance $200.00

Current 3

Delinquent 0

 

Equifax

Count 2

Balance $0.00

Current 2

Delinquent 0

 

TransUnion......nothing reported

 

 

If the HIPPA letters are successful will the "Counts" go to 0?

If I pulled another set of AnnualCreditReports.com CRs would they show the detail for the issues related to these Counts?

 

I then go to the "Account History" Tab and see the info below:

 

NCO FIN/99

Close Account Details

 

 

Potentially Negative Closed

 

 

 

Account Name: NCO FIN/99

 

Account #: XXXXXXXX

 

Account Type: Collection Department / Agency / Attorney

 

Balance: $200.00

 

Date Opened: 10/1/2007

 

Account Status: Closed

 

Past Due: $200.00

 

Payment Status: Seriously past due date / assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's internal collection department

 

 

 

 

Interestingly, while this account says "Closed" I still get calls from them....last one that I know of was 2 days ago.

 

No other "Potentially Negative" entries are present.

 

 

 

 

Any interpretation is greatly appreciated!

Edited January 27, 2012 by 930S

[930S]

UPDATE:

 

When I printed the report from USSA all the collection incidents ("counts") showed in detail. It appears nothing has changed regarding removal since I sent the HIIPA letters.

 

I now have a benchmark to go forward with to gauge success.

[Why Chat]

UPDATE:

 

When I printed the report from USSA all the collection incidents ("counts") showed in detail. It appears nothing has changed regarding removal since I sent the HIIPA letters.

 

I now have a benchmark to go forward with to gauge success.

It has been my experience with one of my clients that the monitoring service with USSA is not very good for current updates and is useless for disputing as it does not have each CRA report ID #.

If you go to the back door on each CRA website, ( you will need a REAL report with an ID# NOT a 3rd party "monitoring" report) you can see what is actually occuring on your reports.

[930S]

As always, thanks for the feedback Why Chat.

 

Is there a thread describing how to get in to each CRA in this manner?

 

Thanks again.

[Why Chat]

As always, thanks for the feedback Why Chat.

 

Is there a thread describing how to get in to each CRA in this manner?

 

Thanks again.

No thread, here is what you do-- You MUST have a recent (within 60 days) credit report with an ID #, if you don't have them you can get them:

 

To order, visit annualcreditreport.com,or call 1-877-322-8228

 

Make sure you have opted out, and be careful when you go on line that you do NOT opt back in, do NOT give them your e-mail address or check the box that says you want your response e-mailed.

 

Go to NEW DISPUTE

This will pull up the current up to date version of your report, which you can print if you want to.

DO NOT DISPUTE ANYTHING

[930S]

Got it. I do have a recent report # and will use your method.

 

Have a great weekend!

[930S]

OK, I received a letter from Equifax and three of the entries were verified and the one Settlement entry (Acct Paid for less than original amount) was "deleted from the credit file".

 

 

I'm trying to get to my report on Equifax through the back door with my Confirmation # but when I select Check Status it tells me the results were sent via USPS Mail.

 

If I go to New Dispute I get to a form asking for all my info, including a required Email address field. Should I just use another Email addy? I'd really like to see the deletion results online.

 

TIA

[930S]

UPDATE:

 

As I have become more familiar with the USAA Credit Monitoring report format it appears to be accurate.

 

• Received letter from Trans Union stating that both Paid collection (identical/duplicate*) entries were deleted, which is refelected in the USAA report. Trans Union report is totally clean. 1 down, two to go.

• The Paid Settlement I had was deleted from the Equifax report with two (identical/duplicate*) entries "verified" and remaining. This is also reflected in the USAA report and their investigation results letter. More work to do here.

• It appears Experian isn't going to remove anything.....bummer. However, I haven't received a letter from them regarding an investigation. Fingers crossed.

 

 

Will post progress as it occurs......

Edited January 31, 2012 by 930S

[930S]

I received the last response to my three hipaa / CRA letters. It's a letter from Experian and all it basically says if I have questions on the results of the dispute process then I need to contact the original furnisher.......and there are no results..........???????

 

I'm assuming they want me to go online to look up the dispute via the report #. Should I do this or insist on mail based communications? I think I know the results anyway.....per USAA report monitoring it looks like they left all four entries on my report.

 

 

BTW, does anyone know what the "Refresh Report" button is for in the USAA monitoring main profile page? Says it free for members...... below is the line item if the button is clicked:

 

Order Summary

Product Price CreditCheck Monitoring Premium 3-Bureau Report & Scores $0.00

 

 

Thanks!

Edited February 4, 2012 by 930S

[Why Chat]

I received the last response to my three hipaa / CRA letters. It's a letter from Experian and all it basically says if I have questions on the results of the dispute process then I need to contact the original furnisher.......and there are no results..........???????

 

I'm assuming they want me to go online to look up the dispute via the report #. Should I do this or insist on mail based communications? I think I know the results anyway.....per USAA report monitoring it looks like they left all four entries on my report.

 

 

BTW, does anyone know what the "Refresh Report" button is for in the USAA monitoring main profile page? Says it free for members...... below is the line item if the button is clicked:

 

Order Summary

Product Price CreditCheck Monitoring Premium 3-Bureau Report & Scores $0.00

 

 

Thanks!

Send the reporting CA(s) this: ( follow ALL the directions)

http://www.whychat.5u.com/ltrcavalhipaa.html

As soon as you have proof of receipt, ( green card or printout from the PO ) send each CRA this:

http://www.whychat.5u.com/ltrcavalhipaa.html#DISPUTE