starting HIPPA program

[Til.We.Overdose]

Just about all of my collections are medical debts but I do have a few other debts that I need to dispute as well. I have typed up a "regular" dispute letter and a separate "medical" dispute letter following whychat's initial dispute letter format. I want to send both disputes CM. Is it ok to put both letters in the same CM Priority envelope? Or do I need to put them in separate envelopes? I want to eliminate any unnecessary costs.

 

Also, is it necessary to put these paragraphs in the initial dispute:

 

"Please take notice that your Credit Reporting Agency falls within the purview of subtitle D of the ARRA , SEC. 13407(1) BREACH OF SECURITY.—The term ‘‘breach of security’’ means, with respect to unsecured PHR identifiable health information of an individual in a personal health record, acquisition of such information without the authorization of the individual.Please note that your Credit Reporting Agency is now subject to Federal consumer financial laws, including, among others, the FCRA and Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, and related regulations including a ban on “Abusive” Acts or Practices. ( Section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Act )

You are therefore now subject to the jurisdiction of the OCR for HIPAA violations,and the penalty rules of the HITECH Act as issued 11/30/2009"

 

 

I noticed that on the sample (image) letter the above part was not included. So, I omitted it from my letters. Is that ok? Or do I need to go back and add those paragraphs to my initial dispute letter? Thanks for your help in advance!

 

 

[Why Chat]

Just about all of my collections are medical debts but I do have a few other debts that I need to dispute as well. I have typed up a "regular" dispute letter and a separate "medical" dispute letter following whychat's initial dispute letter format. I want to send both disputes CM. Is it ok to put both letters in the same CM Priority envelope? DO NOT use a "priority" mail envelope, use a regular envelope certified only WITHOUT a return receipt requested and without a signature requiredOr do I need to put them in separate envelopes? I want to eliminate any unnecessary costs.

 

Also, is it necessary to put these paragraphs in the initial dispute:

 

"Please take notice that your Credit Reporting Agency falls within the purview of subtitle D of the ARRA , SEC. 13407(1) BREACH OF SECURITY.The term breach of security means, with respect to unsecured PHR identifiable health information of an individual in a personal health record, acquisition of such information without the authorization of the individual.Please note that your Credit Reporting Agency is now subject to Federal consumer financial laws, including, among others, the FCRA and Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act, and related regulations including a ban on Abusive Acts or Practices. ( Section 1031 of the Dodd-Frank Act )

You are therefore now subject to the jurisdiction of the OCR for HIPAA violations,and the penalty rules of the HITECH Act as issued 11/30/2009"

 

 

I noticed that on the sample (image) letter the above part was not included. So, I omitted it from my letters. Is that ok? Or do I need to go back and add those paragraphs to my initial dispute letter? Thanks for your help in advance!

The "sample" letter was ONLY for the purpose of showing how to put a background design and using a font that would render the letter unscannable by the computer "reading" programs. The FULL dispute letter must be used, otherwise you have no leverage.

 

You can NOT dispute medical and non medical accounts at the same time, and certainly not in the same envelope, your disputes will get merged in the system and nothing will get accomplished.Wait until your medical accounts are deleted before disputing your non medical accounts.

 

Make sure you have followed ALL the basic steps BEFORE disputing.

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

 

Use the link in the guide to the HIPAA letter program for your medical accounts. Once those are cleared away, go back and use the SOL letter program for your non medical accounts.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Why Chat

[Til.We.Overdose]

The "sample" letter was ONLY for the purpose of showing how to put a background design and using a font that would render the letter unscannable by the computer "reading" programs. The FULL dispute letter must be used, otherwise you have no leverage.

 

You can NOT dispute medical and non medical accounts at the same time, and certainly not in the same envelope, your disputes will get merged in the system and nothing will get accomplished.Wait until your medical accounts are deleted before disputing your non medical accounts.

 

Make sure you have followed ALL the basic steps BEFORE disputing.

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

 

Use the link in the guide to the HIPAA letter program for your medical accounts. Once those are cleared away, go back and use the SOL letter program for your non medical accounts.

 

ok, thank you. I will have to do my non-medical disputes first, as I have an erroneous leasing collection on my credit report and I need this to be removed as my lease is almost up. How long after I opt out can I begin my disputes? All of my other accounts are within SOL so I don't think I would be able to use that.

[Why Chat]

The "sample" letter was ONLY for the purpose of showing how to put a background design and using a font that would render the letter unscannable by the computer "reading" programs. The FULL dispute letter must be used, otherwise you have no leverage.

 

You can NOT dispute medical and non medical accounts at the same time, and certainly not in the same envelope, your disputes will get merged in the system and nothing will get accomplished.Wait until your medical accounts are deleted before disputing your non medical accounts.

 

Make sure you have followed ALL the basic steps BEFORE disputing.

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

 

Use the link in the guide to the HIPAA letter program for your medical accounts. Once those are cleared away, go back and use the SOL letter program for your non medical accounts.

 

ok, thank you. I will have to do my non-medical disputes first, as I have an erroneous leasing collection on my credit report and I need this to be removed as my lease is almost up. How long after I opt out can I begin my disputes? All of my other accounts are within SOL so I don't think I would be able to use that.

You can dispute 5 days after you opt out, however the most important thing to do ( especially if your "erroneous leasing collection" is from an old address) is to get your old addresses deleted from your reports. When you dispute anything if the address ID on the collection account doesn't match any address on your reports, it is an easy deletion.

[Til.We.Overdose]

You can dispute 5 days after you opt out, however the most important thing to do ( especially if your "erroneous leasing collection" is from an old address) is to get your old addresses deleted from your reports. When you dispute anything if the address ID on the collection account doesn't match any address on your reports, it is an easy deletion.

 

Ok thank you for that info. On the guide for removing addresses you put to send an original copy of a utility bill. The address that I use (on my driver's license, title, etc) is my mother's address and it is the only address I want listed on my credit reports as well. My utility bill is at my home and I don't want that address anywhere on my credit report. Is there something else I could use? I thought about bank statements BUT I opted out of paper bills so I will have to print an estatement, and I don't know if that will be good enough.

[Why Chat]

You can dispute 5 days after you opt out, however the most important thing to do ( especially if your "erroneous leasing collection" is from an old address) is to get your old addresses deleted from your reports. When you dispute anything if the address ID on the collection account doesn't match any address on your reports, it is an easy deletion.

 

Ok thank you for that info. On the guide for removing addresses you put to send an original copy of a utility bill. The address that I use (on my driver's license, title, etc) is my mother's address and it is the only address I want listed on my credit reports as well. My utility bill is at my home and I don't want that address anywhere on my credit report. Is there something else I could use? I thought about bank statements BUT I opted out of paper bills so I will have to print an estatement, and I don't know if that will be good enough.

Do you have a cell phone bill or internet service bill in your name at your "legal" address?? print that out.

If you are going to use a bank statement make sure ONLY the necessary data is on it, blank everything else out.

[Til.We.Overdose]

Do you have a cell phone bill or internet service bill in your name at your "legal" address?? print that out.

If you are going to use a bank statement make sure ONLY the necessary data is on it, blank everything else out.

 

No, prepaid cell phone so I don't get an official bill. And internet is in my mother's name. After reading TU policy on acceptable proofs of address, I see that it says they do not accept statements that can be printed offline, or something like that. But I am going to try anyway because it looks like a copy of a regular statement not "something printed off the web." It's actually a pdf file. So, I'm crossing my fingers and hope this works. I blacked out all of my savings, checking, and loan balances, as well as all of my ending balances on all of my transactions and I am only sending the first page.

[Til.We.Overdose]

@ Why Chat:

 

I am still waiting on a response from EX about changing my address. So far...NOTHING. I have a feeling they ignored my req b/c I did not send it CM. But I guess I will give it a complete 30 days.

 

In the meantime, I want to get started with medical collections on EQ. I was reviewing the entire HIPPA program again to make sure I do everything correctly. And I have a few questions:

 

1- why do you say keep hard copies of deletions for @ least 3 yrs? sol, maybe? But I read somewhere else that med sol is 2 yrs? I'm quite confused on this particular topic. Non of my medical collections are from "state" hospitals.

 

2- you indicated not to communicate w/ the CA @ all otherwise you waiver your privacy rights under HIPPA...last yr I HAD to go to the CA to get a copy of an itemized bill to submit to the state so they could pay for my ER visit under their criminal injuries compensation fund. So, I did "initiate" contact with them (they did make me "sign in") however I had not started the dispute process...so did I waive my HIPPA privacy rights by getting the itemized bill from them? nevermind, I went back and re-read it...I misunderstood it the first time I read it.

 

3-from my understanding the CA is owned by the hospital; will this HIPPA process work under those circumstances?

4- one collection is due to fall off in a few months, should I include this in my dispute? or just leave it alone? it's only $50

 

thanks in advance. I appreciate all of your help.

Edited January 24, 2013 by Til.We.Overdose

[Why Chat]

@ Why Chat:

 

I am still waiting on a response from EX about changing my address. So far...NOTHING. I have a feeling they ignored my req b/c I did not send it CM. But I guess I will give it a complete 30 days.

 

In the meantime, I want to get started with medical collections on EQ. I was reviewing the entire HIPPA program again to make sure I do everything correctly. And I have a few questions:

 

1- why do you say keep hard copies of deletions for @ least 3 yrs? sol, maybe? But I read somewhere else that med sol is 2 yrs? I'm quite confused on this particular topic. Non of my medical collections are from "state" hospitals. THIS IS IN CASE OF RE-INSERTIONS

 

2- you indicated not to communicate w/ the CA @ all otherwise you waiver your privacy rights under HIPPA...last yr I HAD to go to the CA to get a copy of an itemized bill to submit to the state so they could pay for my ER visit under their criminal injuries compensation fund. So, I did "initiate" contact with them (they did make me "sign in") however I had not started the dispute process...so did I waive my HIPPA privacy rights by getting the itemized bill from them? nevermind, I went back and re-read it...I misunderstood it the first time I read it.

 

3-from my understanding the CA is owned by the hospital; will this HIPPA process work under those circumstances?

4- one collection is due to fall off in a few months, should I include this in my dispute? or just leave it alone? it's only $50 INCLUDE IT, OTHERWISE IT MAY BE PICKED UP BY A JDB AND RE-INSERTED

 

thanks in advance. I appreciate all of your help.

[Til.We.Overdose]

ok, I added the $50 med collection to the inital dispute and sent it CM today. Also, called EX and was told by rep that they got my address dispute but did not delete addresses b/c it is associated with tradelines and to call the CA blah blah blah. It doesn't make sense to update my address with a collection agency if I am trying to get a deletion. Do I need to fight this "address deletion" issue some more (thinking about calling/emailing exe customer service to see if they will delete esp the one address that is out of state at my grandmother's house-I have no idea how they go that address) or can go ahead and fire off initial dispute?

[Why Chat]

ok, I added the $50 med collection to the inital dispute and sent it CM today. Also, called EX and was told by rep that they got my address dispute but did not delete addresses b/c it is associated with tradelines and to call the CA blah blah blah. It doesn't make sense to update my address with a collection agency if I am trying to get a deletion. Do I need to fight this "address deletion" issue some more (thinking about calling/emailing exe customer service to see if they will delete esp the one address that is out of state at my grandmother's house-I have no idea how they go that address) or can go ahead and fire off initial dispute?

Any time you call or e-mail or fax a CRA to dispute ANYTHING it adds an additional 15 days to your dispute time. If you had MAILED the address dispute as shown on the instructions you may have had a better chance of getting a deletion of your old addresses. Now it is in their computer system due to your phone call and your chances of getting the address deletion are slim to none.

 

To delete old addresses send a letter to each CRA ( Credit Reporting Agency) with a copy of the personal data page of your report and the "old" addresses circled in red. You state that the circled addresses of xxxx and xxxx are invalid and that you are concerned about ID theft/fraud, include a copy of your drivers license, a copy of your SS card and an ORIGINAL recent utility bill as proof of your identity and correct address.

[Til.We.Overdose]

Any time you call or e-mail or fax a CRA to dispute ANYTHING it adds an additional 15 days to your dispute time. If you had MAILED the address dispute as shown on the instructions you may have had a better chance of getting a deletion of your old addresses. Now it is in their computer system due to your phone call and your chances of getting the address deletion are slim to none.

I didn't dispute anything over the ph. I was calling to see if they had in their system that I mailed a dispute back on 1/14/2013. And the woman told me they rec'd it and didn't delete the addresses that I disputed b/c they are linked to tradelines and referred me to the CAs. So...even a ph call to check the status of a dispute adds an additional 15 days?? I wasn't aware of that. And I specifically told her that I did not want to dispute over the ph because I already mailed it in.

 

 

To delete old addresses send a letter to each CRA ( Credit Reporting Agency) with a copy of the personal data page of your report and the "old" addresses circled in red. You state that the circled addresses of xxxx and xxxx are invalid and that you are concerned about ID theft/fraud, include a copy of your drivers license, a copy of your SS card and an ORIGINAL recent utility bill as proof of your identity and correct address.

I mailed the dispute following the instructions and I included a bank statement instead of the utility bill.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Til.We.Overdose

[Til.We.Overdose]

Already opted out. Deleted old addresses except for EX. They refuse to delete any addresses that are linked to my collections. So, I don't know what to do about that.

 

However, EQ finally completed the investigation. Out of 5 collections, they only deleted 1. One of the collections is from 2006 due to fall off in the next few months ($50) and another one for $315 that is due to fall off at the beginning of next yr. Aren't both of these out of the SOL (TN)? I haven't gotten the results from EQ yet, I just noticed on EC that the collections are not in dispute anymore and that one collection is gone. So, my next step is this: http://whychat.5u.com/ltrcavalhipaa.html ?

Edited February 25, 2013 by Til.We.Overdose

[Why Chat]

Yes, and then send each CRA the follow up dispute

 

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

[Til.We.Overdose]

Yes, and then send each CRA the follow up dispute

 

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

on the follow up dispute to the CRAs, are you supposed to list each CA on a separate letter? or can you list them all on one letter? for instance I have 4 medical collections on EQ (all different CAs) so do I put each acct on it's own letter and put all 4 letters in one envelope to the CRA?

[Why Chat]

You can put all copies of the letters to the CAs and all copies of the proof of receipt in one mailing to each CRA, make sure your follow up dispute letter LISTS each CA and each account like this:

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

Dear CRA, My name is xxxxx xxxxxx , my SS # is xxx xx xxxx. I am sending this dispute certified mail return receipt # xxxx to make sure you receive it. I have no knowledge or records of the following accounts on my report # xxxxx. # xxxxx with ( name of CA) # xxxxx with ( name of CA) etc I have disputed these unknown medical accounts with the reporting Collection Agent,s( copies enclosed with proof of their receipt),as per your instructions in your response of xx/xx/xxxx to my dispute of xx/xx/xxxx and have had no valid response. Please advise me as to the name and address of the health care provider, the name of the patient, and the reported date of service,as any account I might have had at one time would be obsolete. If you can obtain this information, I also would need the names of the persons providing this data, and the manner in which it was provided in order that I may pursue additional legal remedies.

[Til.We.Overdose]

Thank you.

 

What would be the next step if the CRAs ignores your initial dispute? I have 3-n-1 credit monitoring and EX & TU have not marked any of the medical accts as disputed. EX only responded to one dispute that I previously disputed basically stating they have already investigated & won't investigate anymore and referred me to the CA.

[Why Chat]

Any "3 in 1" monitoring service is USELESS for disputing.

 

Do you have your REAL reports??

 

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

 

If so use the back door to see what has actually been done.

 

If the accounts were disputed properly, using REAL reports you can then follow your dispute progress.

 

If any CRA has sent you a letter stating that the account "remains" then you go to the next step in the program, the medical DV

 

http://www.whychat.5u.com/GUIDE%20HIPAA%20PROGRAM.html

[Til.We.Overdose]

Any "3 in 1" monitoring service is USELESS for disputing.

 

Do you have your REAL reports?? - yes I disputed with real reports I just monitor all 3 reports with the "3-n-1"...

 

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

 

If so use the back door to see what has actually been done.

 

If the accounts were disputed properly, using REAL reports you can then follow your dispute progress.

 

If any CRA has sent you a letter stating that the account "remains" then you go to the next step in the program, the medical DV

 

http://www.whychat.5u.com/GUIDE%20HIPAA%20PROGRAM.html

 

EQ already mailed results. Checked backdoor for EX and results are due 4/4. However, when I checked TU backdoor it did NOT list any disputes; it just gave me a new report with an option to dispute items. I do see that one medical acct has been deleted so maybe they are done with the investigation and just haven't sent me the results yet. will post back soon...

 

Edited March 21, 2013 by Til.We.Overdose

[Til.We.Overdose]

quick question: is it ok to list 2 CRAs on one medical DV. For instance:

 

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 Equifax and Experian reports.

 

...

[Why Chat]

NO, you need one letter for each CRA to send the follow up dispute.( You can put both letters in the same envelope)

 

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

Edited March 22, 2013 by Why Chat

[Til.We.Overdose]

ok, thank you I will do that. Checked the backdoor for EX & out of the three medical accounts I disputed. One they completely ignored and did not list (but sent me the letter refusing to re-investigate), one remains (the one that falls off in about 2 months), and one is listed as updated. I am waiting for the results in the mail so I can start sending off DVs. Will I have to modify my follow up letter to EX? For instance, they already sent me the "results" for the one they are refusing to re-investigate and then I have another letter coming. So, do I need to put

 

 

I have disputed these unknown medical accounts with the reporting Collection Agents, ( copies enclosed with proof of their receipt),as per your instructions in your response of xx/xx/xxxx AND xx/xx/xxxx to my dispute of xx/xx/xxxx and have had no valid response.

 

or do I need to be more specific?

 

 

I have disputed these unknown medical account with the reporting Collection Agents,( copies enclosed with proof of their receipt),as per your instructions in your responses dated xx/xx/xxxx regarding alleged collection account with (CA name) and xx/xx/xx in regards to (CAs name) to my dispute of xx/xx/xxxx and have had no valid response.

[Why Chat]

 

ok, thank you I will do that. Checked the backdoor for EX & out of the three medical accounts I disputed. One they completely ignored and did not list (but sent me the letter refusing to re-investigate), one remains (the one that falls off in about 2 months), and one is listed as updated. I am waiting for the results in the mail so I can start sending off DVs. Will I have to modify my follow up letter to EX? For instance, they already sent me the "results" for the one they are refusing to re-investigate and then I have another letter coming. So, do I need to put

 

 

I have disputed these unknown medical accounts with the reporting Collection Agents, ( copies enclosed with proof of their receipt),as per your instructions in your response of xx/xx/xxxx AND xx/xx/xxxx to my dispute of xx/xx/xxxx and have had no valid response.

 

or do I need to be more specific?

 

>

 

I have disputed these unknown medical account with the reporting Collection Agents,( copies enclosed with proof of their receipt),as per your instructions in your responses dated xx/xx/xxxx regarding alleged collection account with (CA name) and xx/xx/xx in regards to (CAs name) to my dispute of xx/xx/xxxx and have had no valid response. NO

 

No, do NOT change it to be more specific as that will bifurcate the dispute. You have had NO valid response from the CAs on any of the medical DVs , the responses that you received ( or didn't receive) were from the CRAs

[Til.We.Overdose]

It has been 30 days and I still have not received dispute results from TU. What am I supposed to do?

[Why Chat]

It has been 30 days and I still have not received dispute results from TU. What am I supposed to do?

30 days from their receipt of your dispute??

 

Go to the TU back door and see the status of the account.