My wife has two medical accounts that are both past due. I am sure they are both still within SOL so I can't use that as a defense. Medshield (the CA) has called me a few times now (I am guessing they LN'ed my cell number from my wifes info) and suggested that I pay up in typical CA fashion. His latest call was today. He proceeded to ask if we were both employed. I didn't answer any of his questions and told him i don't talk to CA's over the phone. He said he was sending me out a notice in the mail and verified our address then hung up. I can only imagine the notice is going to be a nasty gram from their legal team threatening wage garnishment, etc.

Anyway, long story short. The information here on this forum is so informative but also over whelming. I am trying to figure out my first step in firing off a letter of some sort but not sure what letter or to whom. I am sure these are valid debts but I would much rather pay the OC following WhyChat's program and be done with it. Just want to make sure I am following the right path here so any help would be appreciated.

Also, is there any way they can legally try to garnish my wages as we were not married at the time she incurred these debts? I am guessing that is why he was asking if I was employed or not.

If the accounts are reporting, you need to opt out and delete old addresses and send the medical dispute letter to the CRA's where it is being reported:

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 additional legal remedies.

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
WAIT FOR THE FULL RESPONSE FROM THE CRA BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THE HIPAA LETTER PROCESS

If the accounts are fully verified, you can then pay the OC health care provider with the HIPAA letter insert "a"

If your wife is sued and a judgment is obtained, YOUR wages can not be garnished.

Why Chat,

For SOL purposes, how are medical accounts coded? I am guessing one is still in SOL for sure since it was 2005, but the other was 2003 and is probably right at SOL time limit. According to your website for Indiana, SOL is 4 years for sale of goods, 6 years for open written contracts.. Not sure what a medical account is considered.

Thanks

Read the thread below by Why Chat. Post#3

Medical SOL

Thanks for that reply.

I believe the hospital both of these accounts are from is not government funded.. they are just private, for-profit corporations.

so the SOL on one account is expired so they can cram that in their ear. I think I will still pay the hospital directly for it just out of principal. It is our local community hospital and we have always been treated well there, the bill just slipped through the cracks.

I am glad you are paying the Hospital.

A "Community" hospital, even a private one usually is reimbursed by the State or Federal Gov. for indigent services. As such, they are mandated to exert due diligence in collecting from ALL "non-payers" this is why they frequently bundle up a bunch of these accounts years later and send them to a CA, because they are being audited for their reimbursements.

THESE accounts have NO "SOL".