CreditBoards > New girl looking for reassurance on proper procedure

thatgirldina

Jul 29 2008, 04:50 PM

Hi all! I'm new here and this will be my first (and only, as I have just 1 medical collection on my CR) time disputing a medical collection. This is how it shows on my Equifax report, although it's pretty much the same on all 3:

Bonded Collections; Collection Reported 01/2007; Assigned 11/2006; Creditor Class - Medical/Health Care; Client: Bradshaw MTN Diag Lab; Amount - $60; Status as of 01/2007 - Unpaid; Date of 1st Delinquincy 05/2006; Balance as of 01/2007 - $60; Individual Account; Account # - (BLOCKED BY ME); Address: PO Box 26545 Prescott Valley, AZ 86312-6545: (928) 775-5000

Since this is my first time at this, I am basically just seeking a little reassurance. I have already opted out and deleted my old addresses with the 3 CRA's. So my next step is to send off the Pre-Hipaa letter. Is this correct? I know to not send it RRR, but am I suppose to send it CM?

Then, once I receive all 3 responses from the CRA's then I send the HIPAA letter CMRRR, along with insert (a) to Bradshaw Mtn. Diagnostic Labs. What if I do not remember the exact date of services? Can I leave that part out of the letter, or should I just estimate? Is it a big no-no to call Bradshaw Mtn. Diagnostic Labs and ask them the actual date I of my appointment?

Please forgive my newbie-ness. I just want to make sure I get this done right the first time.

thatgirldina

Jul 30 2008, 10:21 AM

Anyone? I'd relaly like to send this off today, but am so nervous that I am not going to do it correctly.

thatgirldina

Aug 7 2008, 03:52 PM

Well poo! I think I may have just messed up.

On the advice I received from another forum, I contacted the OC and paid them directly and kindly asked that they call off the CA and completely remove the item from my credit reports. I pulled my reports this morning and the CA is still there and showing PAID on Experian, and UNPAID on both TU and EQ. I'm assuming TU and EQ will be updated to PAID status shortly. Is there any way to get these completely removed, and since I paid the OC, and not the CA, is the CA even "allowed" to report it at all?

Why Chat

Aug 7 2008, 08:14 PM

QUOTE (thatgirldina @ Jul 29 2008, 04:50 PM)

Hi all! I'm new here and this will be my first (and only, as I have just 1 medical collection on my CR) time disputing a medical collection. This is how it shows on my Equifax report, although it's pretty much the same on all 3:

Bonded Collections; Collection Reported 01/2007; Assigned 11/2006; Creditor Class - Medical/Health Care; Client: Bradshaw MTN Diag Lab; Amount - $60; Status as of 01/2007 - Unpaid; Date of 1st Delinquincy 05/2006; Balance as of 01/2007 - $60; Individual Account; Account # - (BLOCKED BY ME); Address: PO Box 26545 Prescott Valley, AZ 86312-6545: (928) 775-5000

Since this is my first time at this, I am basically just seeking a little reassurance. I have already opted out and deleted my old addresses with the 3 CRA's. So my next step is to send off the Pre-Hipaa letter. Is this correct? I know to not send it RRR, but am I suppose to send it CM?Yes, the "pre-HIPAA" medical dispute letter;
http://whychat.5u.com/hipaadisp.html
has a place for the certified mail # ( you can get the forms from the PO)

Then, once I receive all 3 responses from the CRA's then I send the HIPAA letter CMRRR, along with insert (a) to Bradshaw Mtn. Diagnostic Labs. What if I do not remember the exact date of services? Can I leave that part out of the letter, or should I just estimate? Is it a big no-no to call Bradshaw Mtn. Diagnostic Labs and ask them the actual date I of my appointment?IF you receive a verification from the reporting CA that gives accurate account information, it would have your date of service. If you do NOT get any account data from the reporting CA, but the CRA does not delete, then you need to send the CA this:
http://whychat.5u.com/ltrcavalhipaa.html

and follow up with this;
http://whychat.5u.com/ltrcavalhipaa.html#DISPUTE
Because without verification on an account that may or may not be yours, may or may not be correct, may or may not have any authorization or communication between the OC and the CA, it would be a waste of $$ to pay the OC

Please forgive my newbie-ness. I just want to make sure I get this done right the first time.

Why Chat

Aug 7 2008, 08:18 PM

QUOTE (thatgirldina @ Aug 7 2008, 03:52 PM)

Well poo! I think I may have just messed up.

On the advice I received from another forum, I contacted the OC and paid them directly and kindly asked that they call off the CA and completely remove the item from my credit reports. I pulled my reports this morning and the CA is still there and showing PAID on Experian, and UNPAID on both TU and EQ. I'm assuming TU and EQ will be updated to PAID status shortly. Is there any way to get these completely removed, and since I paid the OC, and not the CA, is the CA even "allowed" to report it at all?

Well, I was answering you while you were posting!!

You can TRY sending the medical dispute letter
http://whychat.5u.com/hipaadisp.html

It MIGHT get it off, but you can't use any HIPAA letters to the OC.

thatgirldina

Aug 8 2008, 11:48 AM

QUOTE (Why Chat @ Aug 7 2008, 06:18 PM)

QUOTE (thatgirldina @ Aug 7 2008, 03:52 PM)

Well poo! I think I may have just messed up.

On the advice I received from another forum, I contacted the OC and paid them directly and kindly asked that they call off the CA and completely remove the item from my credit reports. I pulled my reports this morning and the CA is still there and showing PAID on Experian, and UNPAID on both TU and EQ. I'm assuming TU and EQ will be updated to PAID status shortly. Is there any way to get these completely removed, and since I paid the OC, and not the CA, is the CA even "allowed" to report it at all?

Well, I was answering you while you were posting!!

You can TRY sending the medical dispute letter
http://whychat.5u.com/hipaadisp.html

It MIGHT get it off, but you can't use any HIPAA letters to the OC.

Well, now that's really ODD...I posted at 2ish is the afternoon and your reply came through at 6:18pm? I swear, I've been waiting for someone to respond for over a week to my original post. With no response, I got impatient, and tried to find help elsewhere. When I sent off the payment to the OC, it seemed like the "right" thing to do since I wasn't disputing the charge, but now I see that I was wrong to be so trusting and thinking the OC would really have the CA delete. I'm going to send the letter you suggested this afternoon. Cross your fingers for me. I just want this off my reports! I'm just sick over not getting this right the first time.

Thanks for your help WhyChat. It is much appreciated! I think you and this board are such an amazing resource.

thatgirldina

Aug 22 2008, 11:11 AM

Just wanted to pop back in and thank WhyChat and everyone else who makes this board such a valuable resource. I sent the letter the day of my last post and as of this morning all 3 CRA's have deleted! I'm thrilled!