First time hipaa process

[greenpinetree]

Hi everyone. I am starting this thread to detail my hipaa dispute process in the hopes that it helps others. I had been following this forum for about a year, read why-chat's page over and over and over. I was very intimidated by the process at first, and it does take a lot of time. I spent many hours preparing everything, and double checking everything. I believe it is very unfair for people to be punished for 7 years by these medical collections.

 

With that out of the way, here are the details: (why-chat hipaa dispute process)

 

I pulled all 3 credit reports on annualcreditreport.com.

 

I had:

 

4 collections from gulf coast in the amounts of $0, $0, $24, and $92.

 

1 collection from drs. business bureau in the amount of $0.

 

2 collections from cfc, for about $300 and $400.

 

I opted out, and disputed old addresses and incorrect names. Most names and addresses came off, but not all.

 

I did the initial dispute with all 3 agencies for everything except the CFC collections. (I later found out that I should have disputed them ALL, but I am not yet able to pay them in full, so I waited)

 

I received responses from all 3. Transunion deleted all disputed items. (I really couldn't believe it!) Equifax and Experian both "verified".

 

I sent gulf coast and drs. business bureau the CA validation letters CMRR. I received the return receipts. Gulf coast called, but I informed them that all calls are inconvenient, and that any communication is to be through mail.

 

In the mean time, I have been trying to get receipts for the paid bills. I am pretty sure that all the paid ones were paid to the original doctor.

 

I have just finished typing up the follow up letters to the CRAs, and will be mailing them CMRR.

 

I will be keeping this up to date, since I am on here almost every night anyway.

[Why Chat]

Hi everyone. I am starting this thread to detail my hipaa dispute process in the hopes that it helps others. I had been following this forum for about a year, read why-chat's page over and over and over. I was very intimidated by the process at first, and it does take a lot of time. I spent many hours preparing everything, and double checking everything. I believe it is very unfair for people to be punished for 7 years by these medical collections.

 

With that out of the way, here are the details: (why-chat hipaa dispute process)

 

I pulled all 3 credit reports on annualcreditreport.com.

 

I had:

 

4 collections from gulf coast in the amounts of $0, $0, $24, and $92.

 

1 collection from drs. business bureau in the amount of $0.

 

2 collections from cfc, for about $300 and $400.

 

I opted out, and disputed old addresses and incorrect names. Most names and addresses came off, but not all.

 

I did the initial dispute with all 3 agencies for everything except the CFC collections. (I later found out that I should have disputed them ALL, but I am not yet able to pay them in full, so I waited)

 

I received responses from all 3. Transunion deleted all disputed items. (I really couldn't believe it!) Equifax and Experian both "verified".

 

I sent gulf coast and drs. business bureau the CA validation letters CMRR. I received the return receipts. Gulf coast called, but I informed them that all calls are inconvenient, and that any communication is to be through mail.

 

In the mean time, I have been trying to get receipts for the paid bills. I am pretty sure that all the paid ones were paid to the original doctor.

 

I have just finished typing up the follow up letters to the CRAs, and will be mailing them CMRR.

 

I will be keeping this up to date, since I am on here almost every night anyway.

Congratulations on your efficiency and accuracy in following directions.

 

How old are these accounts?? ( dates of medical service)

 

You can dispute the CFC account without fearing you will be required to pay.

 

Did "Gulf Coast" get the medical DV??

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

 

It includes a line about telephone calls and is a TOTAL cease and desist.

Please also be advised that this letter is not only a formal dispute, but a request that you cease and desist any and all collection activities, including reporting of; or verifying of this account on my credit reports.

Your receipt of this letter will be considered as having granted consent to the taping of any and all telephone calls to me at my home or business by you or your agents or assigns

 

If they call again, tell them the call is being recorded and you are turning it over to the ( name of your County)'s sheriff and filing an action against them for violation of a cease and desist order.

[greenpinetree]

The gulf coast accounts are about 3 years old, the CFC are 5 and 6 years.

 

Gulf coast did get the DV, and I had the receipt by the time they called, but they were probably calling about a new collection that the doctor just gave them. They also called on my wife's phone, but asked for me. I will get hard with them if they call again.

 

The dr. sent two more bills to them to collect a week ago, but I have just paid the doctor. I will dispute the collection, so it had better not even show up on my reports.

 

From what I gather, a few people have success with deletes from TU with the initial dispute. I would like to give my results so people can get an idea of what to expect when they go through with this. I really do not understand why the collection agencies are so hard on people. What do they care that the debt is reported for the full 7 years? Why does it matter at all as long as they get paid? Medical collections certainly don't stop you from getting into more medical debt, I just can't get a larger home for my growing family.

[greenpinetree]

An update so far... So I think the time the collector called was for the new collection, and have not called again. I am still waiting on the vaildation from them, which should not be valid since there is no balance due. I have also not heard anything from the second disputes to the CRAs, or any other validation from any of the other collectors whatsoever. The CA validations were received on 05/17/12 and 05/19/12. The second CRA disputes were received 05/26/12 and 06/01/12. I notice that the CRAs were very quick to turn around the initial dispute, but they are taking longer this time.

 

On a side note, portfolio recovery dug up some debt on a relative and was calling daily. A C&D with SOL notice shut them right up. That felt good to get the letter from them.

[greenpinetree]

Success!!

 

I got the results from experian on the redispute, and everything that I disputed came off except the two charges that I had paid to collections. I didn't really expect those to come off, but they are really small anyway. I will now be doing another dispute for the large medical bills. I expect them to come off as well. I will update this thread with their status.

 

Thank you Why Chat.