How to proceed?

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I have several medical bills from last year that I have been making payments on haphazardly. I am not in any formal payment arrangement for any of them because the amount I can pay per month is not within the guidelines for payment plans based on the amounts. I dont qualify for financial assistance because I had insurance at the time, the bills are for my portion of the copay/coinsurance. I've verified the amounts I've been billed are correct and insurance has paid their portion. 3 of the bills have been forwarded to collections, one in the name of my 2 year old son. For the three bills forwarded to collections and the ones that are probably on the way, how should I go about handling? My goal is to keep the bills out of collections and off my credit reports, while I make payments.The bills range from $140 to over $1000, all totaling slightly over $4k. The three smallest bills, $140, $250, and $215 I have received collection letters for, but they do not appear on any credit report yet. The one for $215 is in the name of my minor child. I contacted TU about a month ago and they verified there is no record in my childs name. I have yet to contact EQ and EX about a credit report in his name

 

I can make small payments monthly (less than $20 a month per bill, about 9 bills total). I am a full time student, my only income is student loan proceeds and the occasional miscellaneous earnings.

 

Should I just continue to make payments to the OC, ignore the collection letters, then once paid use the HIPPA letter program to obtain deletions?

 

 

I am opted out,

I requested a copy of my MIB report

I have current copies of my reports from all CRA and old address are removed from all except Experian(cant delete, tied to tradelines)

[Why Chat]

Are you getting statements from the OCs that show your payments and the balances??

 

Are you SURE that you owe so much?? Look at your EOMBs for "patient responsibility"

 

Have you checked your credit reports??

 

Follow the directions here to opt out and get your REAL credit reports

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

[ding]

Yes, I am positive the amounts owed are correct. My son had outpatient surgery last year, and some ER visits. I compared them all to the EOB, I did have to dispute some things but they have been corrected. I get monthly statements from the OC's for the ones not in collections. The three that have went to collections I have one collection letter each so far.

[Why Chat]

Yes, I am positive the amounts owed are correct. My son had outpatient surgery last year, and some ER visits. I compared them all to the EOB, I did have to dispute some things but they have been corrected. I get monthly statements from the OC's for the ones not in collections. The three that have went to collections I have one collection letter each so far.

OK, are you still paying the OC for the ones that HAVE been sent to collections?? If so, please stop as all they will do is to transmit the $$ to the CA.

 

Make sure that all further payments to the OC are clearly defined and receipted for the accounts that are NOT yet in collection.

 

If the accounts show up on your credit reports, you will have to send the initial dispute letters to the CRAs, if you have received any communication from any CA BEFORE they are reported, send them the medical DV:

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

from the HIPAA letter program:

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

 

It is POSSIBLE that if you dispute and/or send the medical DV the CA will stop collection activities. The OCs normally turn over those accounts to CAs after they have collected the amount they WOULD have received if you were on Medicaid. ( I don't want to get too technical on this, but in general they will not have the ability to aggressively follow collection activities if the amount they have received is equal to the Medicaid reimbursements)

[ding]

Because the debt is within SOL, should I remove the time barred line from this paragraph?

 

In the event of noncompliance, I reserve the right to file charges
and/or complaints with the OCR on your HIPAA violations and appropriate
County,
State & Federal authorities ,the BBB and State Bar associations for
violations of the FDCPA, FCRA, and Federal and
State statutes on fraudulent extortion and illegal collection activities
on any account that may be time-barred as well
as in violation of (name of your State) medical privacy rules.

 

Thank you very much for your help!

[Why Chat]

Because the debt is within SOL, should I remove the time barred line from this paragraph?

 

In the event of noncompliance, I reserve the right to file charges

and/or complaints with the OCR on your HIPAA violations and appropriate

County,

State & Federal authorities ,the BBB and State Bar associations for

violations of the FDCPA, FCRA, and Federal and

State statutes on fraudulent extortion and illegal collection activities

on any account that may be time-barred as well

as in violation of (name of your State) medical privacy rules.

 

Thank you very much for your help!

Do not change a word

[ding]

One last question. For the bill from the CA that is in the name of my 2 year old, should I address the letter as it's from him or from me? The bills from the OC also came in the name of my son. Do I need to include anything additional because they are trying to collect from a minor?

 

 

Also just noticed one bill is sent to me with my sons last name. Should I send the letter with my corrected name or with my name as they have it listed?

Sent from my ME301T using Tapatalk 2

 

Edited May 22, 2013 by Denise G

[ding]

Also I wont have the cmrr # until I go to the post office, is it ok to leave this off or should I handwrite the number on the letter? Thanks again!

 

Sent from my ME301T using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[Why Chat]

Also I wont have the cmrr # until I go to the post office, is it ok to leave this off or should I handwrite the number on the letter? Thanks again! Sent from my ME301T using Tapatalk 2

You go to the post office and pick up several of the certified mail forms. That way you will have a tracking # to put into the letter. I suggest you staple a copy of the letter to the certified mail receipt.

You should also pick up several return receipt forms, the extra label from the certified mail form goes on that form.

 

Your initial letter should be signed with your son's name, as they are showing it on their correspondence, BY your correct name, mother.

You should also indicate in the letter that xxx xxxxx ( your son's name as they are showing it) is 2 years old.