Hi. I'm a newbie. I have been reading nonstop the past few days since I joined. I also read what I could while I was not a member. Anyways, I was just wondering if I followed the right procedure for the disputes. I sent out the letters to the CRA's to have my names and addresses removed. I also sent out validation letters, certified mail, today to all of my medical CA's. I used breeze's letter for validation. Should this be ok or should I have used a different one? Anyone's answer is well appreciated. Thanks.

TU- 585 EX-545 EQ-589

I suppose it depends on what you ultimately want the outcome to be of your process.

You did the right thing in sending out the letters to the CRA's. Just keep in Mind that Experian (EX) has a nasty habit of refusing to delete old addresses (and names slightly mispelled as well) that are tied to accounts listed on your report. The other two CRA's are pretty good (in my experience) in deleting old addresses.

I noticed you said you sent your validation letters certified mail. I would encourage you to send them Certified mail AND Return Reciept Requested (CMRRR). This gives you proof that it was delivered and to WHOM! You never know when you may need to prove that you sent the letters to them. So, in the future if you ever have to send validation letters, use CMRRR.

As far as Breeze's validation letter is concerned. I like that letter myself. It is a good one. However, the laws are slightly different for medical accounts due to the HIPAA laws (security and privacy laws).

Whychat has helped me tremendously in the area of medical accounts. I have used Whychats program exclusivley so I can't speak to the effectiveness of Breeze's validation letter in the realm of medical disputes. I do know that I had 4 medical accounts on my report (Only 1 was truly mine ... that is a long story) and ALL of them are off of my report as of the day before yesterday.

There is a sticky under the Medical Billing Forum (This forum) that talks of HIPAA ... and you may want to research some info on whychats site as there is some GREAT information concerning handling specifically medical accounts.

As to did you use the wrong letter? I honestly can't say. I do know that due to HIPAA by contacting the CA you loose some rights which could have been used to get this account deleted. But, I will let others jump in and comment.

Not sure if any of this helped, but this has been what I have been through and what has worked for me.

How do you lose some rights to help get things deleted by contacting the CA? Also, I did send them CMRR. Sorry, I didn't specify that. So if nothing happens with the validation letters that I sent can I send the HIPAA or did I screw that up for myself? I really hope things work out. This process can really drive you crazy!! Thanks for the post!

It is difficult to explain as far as the rights is concerned unless you have read the HIPAA regs backwards and forwards. It is all based on privacy. However, I said you MAY have lost some rights ... did not say you DID loose rights .

Take a look at this thread. It may be able to give you some more insight into how this process can work. I am not saying the way your going won't work. It very well may indeed. I have only seen this process (outlined in the thread link below) work far more often than other methods that I have seen others try.

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=175055

I agree the process can drive you crazy! It can be quite maddening and extremly confusing at times. But, it can also be very rewarding as well.

I don't think you screwed yourself up. I would encourage you to read the thread listed above and see if it makes you more comfortable in deciding what to do at this point. All is not lost

Keep smiling ... life could be worse.

If you have opted out and deleted old addresses, you can then "get rid" of old medical accounts by using the HIPAA letter process system.

Sending a DV to a CA on a medical dispute may SOMETIMES interfere with the ability to use the HIPAA letter system, as you have, in effect, waived your privacy rights by requesting validation.

It will definitely prevent you from using the HIPAA letter system if you have paid the CA.

Send this, ( after opting out and getting old addresses deleted whenever possible)

You dispute medical accounts this way:

Dear CRA,

My name is xxxxx xxxxxx , my SS # is xxx xx xxxx.

I am sending this dispute certified mail # xxxx to make sure you receive it.

I have no knowledge or records of account # xxxxx on my report # xxxxx.

Please advise me as to the name and address of the medical provider, the date and type of service, and to whom the service was provided.

If you can obtain this information, I also would need the name of the person providing this data, and the manner in which it was provided in order that I may pursue further legal options .

Very truly yours,

xxxxxx
Make sure you HAND ADDRESS the envelope, use personalized stationery and purple or teal font, ( preferably italic).

DO NOT send it RR

IF YOU ARE STARTING THE HIPAA LETTER PROCESS-WAIT FOR THE FULL RESPONSE FROM THE CRA BEFORESENDING OUT ANY HIPAA LETTER

Be aware that the HIPAA letter system was designed to PAY the OC health care provider IF the CRA completely verifies the account.

Also, have you determined if these debts are within the Statute of Limitations (SOL)? Remember there are two types of SOL:

1.) Statute of Limitations for reporting on your credit report (Typically 7 years). For medical, this typically starts ticking the day of service.

2.) Statute of Limications for bringing a lawsuit (Depends on your State).

Try to make sure you know the answer to both of these SOL questions .... Knowing that information will be helpful in the sense you will know what your rights are at this point ... For example, if your account listings are beyond your state SOL for them to sue you, you can breath a little easier and not freak out as bad if something does not go exactly as you expected. Otherwise, if they ARE within the SOL for them to sue you, you must be very careful with everything you do. Doesn't mean they will sue you ... please don't think I am saying that. It is just a good idea to know where you stand before you start to walk

WhyChat said it best Just trying to be helpful. What WhyChat wrote above is exactly what I used and it worked.

Thank you whychat. I have read your HIPAA letter before but I got confused when I saw a lot of people using breeze's letter also. Since I have already sent my letters to the CA's for medical collections, all I can do is sit and wait now, right? I really can't send them the HIPAA letter along with those other letters. I have opted out and am waiting on my addresses to hopefully be removed but I feel like I'm kind of stuck now since I used the other letter asking for validation. Have you ever heard of anyone having luck with the validation letter I used when it came to medical collections?

I have several medical collections, some within SOL to sue, many others not. What action can I take? And whatever action I do take, will this provoke the CA into suing for what is within the SOL? Thanks.