WhyChat-I Have A HIPAA Problem

[SunnySideUp32]

This particular problem happened before I knew of the HiPAA program. I have since learned of the HIPAA program and used it for other medical collections and it worked perfectly. Thank you.

 

However, this particular issue started completely out of order and prior to learning HiPAA. I called my current medical insurance issuer to pay for something about two months ago. They advised me that two previous accounts were sent to collections. We went over everything, I recalled the services and paid them over the phone. She said that they would have the collection agency pull the records and delete the trade lines. I said ok. They have since sent me copies of the records and paid receipts for both accounts.

 

The collection agency deleted both accounts from Transunion without me doing anything, one account from Experian and one account from Equifax. I disputed Exquifax online which resulted in one being deleted and the other came back verified. Experian deleted the one because I disputed online but the system wouldn't let me dispute the other one again so I decided to wait to do so by mail because I had another active dispute going with them.

 

Since Transunion deleted without me initiating a dispute, I believe that was done because my insurance carrier told them to do it. I know they contacted them because after I paid them over the phone and verified that no payment information would be shared with the CA, she put me on hold to call the CA to tell them to delete. She even quoted HIPAA saying that they have the CA delete all account information after the hospital is paid because it would be a violation. My credit card statement reads the hospital as payee, it was an electronic payment and the receipts from the hospital billing records list payment made to and received and processed by hospital.

 

So now with the CA going rogue it seems with leaving one account and verifying one with another bureau, what should I do?

[Why Chat]

Have you sent the initial dispute letter for this account to any CRA where it is still being reported??

 

If not, do so.

 

Wait for THAT response before worrying about what has been done before.

 

Make sure you are still opted out as sometimes when you dispute on line you can accidentally opt back in again.

[SunnySideUp32]

Have you sent the initial dispute letter for this account to any CRA where it is still being reported??

 

If not, do so.

 

Wait for THAT response before worrying about what has been done before.

 

Make sure you are still opted out as sometimes when you dispute on line you can accidentally opt back in again.

No I have not sent a dispute letter by mail, just the standard online. Yes I'm still opted out. I checked the backdoors and it still states file blocked for promotional offers, something like that. Should I wait 60 days since the dispute recently ended or go ahead with the HIPAA letter to the CRA?

[Why Chat]

Go ahead with your written dispute. Since your prior on line dispute was in part successful it may not trigger a "frivolous" or previously investigated response. In any case, you need the paper trail to go after the "rogue" CA.

[SunnySideUp32]

Go ahead with your written dispute. Since your prior on line dispute was in part successful it may not trigger a "frivolous" or previously investigated response. In any case, you need the paper trail to go after the "rogue" CA.

Update: I decided to first call my insurance carrier billing department yesterday and told them I needed the address and phone number for their HIPAA compliance office. He replied, "may I ask why you are wanting that information?" I explained and he put me on hold. After returning to the phone, he assured me that they had contacted the CA to delete all files from all credit bureaus and that he just called the CA to find out what was going on. To make a long story short, I was told the accounts would be deleted and please allow a few more days before sending the HIPAA complaint. He also said he instructed the CA to send me confirmation of their purge and deletion request and if I didn't receive the mailed letter within a week (all of us are in the same state, so mail time is short) to call them back. I said ok. I backdoored Experian and Equifax this morning just to see and bam, the account is gone. I'll still keep my eye out for the CA mailed letter though. Say HIPAA and people react. Thanks WhyChat for all the HIPAA info.

[Why Chat]

I am very glad you had such a response. There have been some new posters in this forum who do not believe that the HIPAA letter program works. They have gone so far as to quote their "lawyer" who said the program was "nonsense" and wouldn't stand up in Court. I have NEVER claimed the HIPAA letter program to be a legal tactic. However, as you said in your post, the threat of a valid HIPAA complaint is more than enough to create compliance. I have put the person who keeps challenging my system on "ignore" because at my age( 80+) I do not need to engage in useless conversation when there are so many people who really need my help.