Benefits Of Paying Them Now?

[bjremlap]

In February 2011 I went to the ER with what ended up being kidney stones and they had to be surgically removed. I went through with the procedure and my insurance covered a good portion of it but not all of it. Because I went to the ER, then a urologist, then had outpatient surgery at another facility I received at least 10 different bills for everything. I wasn't making much money at the time so I paid all the smaller bills I could afford and ignored the larger bills. They have been in collections as of October 2011.

 

Currently in collections:

 

1. $1,185.00 - ER visit

2. $91.00 - Anesthesia

3. $1309.04 - surgery

 

total : $2,585.04

 

I could pay the $91 anesthesia fee in full but I'm wondering if it's worth it at this point. It seems like a huge ordeal to figure out who to pay and actually get the collection removed. The other 2 I could not afford to pay in full and I know once you start paying them the statute of limitations starts over. I'm cautious to contact the collections agencies directly, I wouldn't mind trying to settle for significantly less but again I don't want to re-start the clock by showing interest. I'm not sure how it all works. My credit is in the high 500s and this is definitely not the only blemish however they are the only accounts in collections. 3 different bills, 3 different collection agencies, set to be wiped in 2017. Leave them be and don't pay or try to settle and go through the removal process?

 

[mariuszh]

Do not pay a collection agency a DIME for a medical collection.

 

Do not communicate with a collection agency in any manner other than in writing via USPS Certified Mail.

Edited October 6, 2013 by mariuszh

[bjremlap]

I understand not to contact the collection agency directly. I honestly can say I haven't received any calls about these collections in a few months, not sure what that means.. Is there a benefit to attempting to settle these at this point? I'm so confused by this Why Chat's HIPAA Letter program - I keep reading it over and over and it's not making any sense at all. I feel like that whole program doesn't apply to me and it's over complicated.

[mariuszh]

I understand not to contact the collection agency directly. I honestly can say I haven't received any calls about these collections in a few months, not sure what that means.. Is there a benefit to attempting to settle these at this point? I'm so confused by this Why Chat's HIPAA Letter program - I keep reading it over and over and it's not making any sense at all. I feel like that whole program doesn't apply to me and it's over complicated.

 

There is only harm that can be done by attempting to settle.

 

The HIPAA letter program applies to anyone that has a medical collection on any of their credit reports, or is being contacted by a collection agency regarding a medical debt.

 

It is confusing at first. I spent a good couple of weeks reading the medical forum in great detail before I started the program myself.

 

Why Chat contributes to this forum almost daily and will help to keep you on the right path.

 

The first three steps of the program dumbed down:

1 - Opt out

2 - Delete old address (if applicable)

3 - Send initial dispute letter

 

The remainder of the program is dictated by the results of the initial dispute

[Why Chat]

Follow the guide:

 

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

 

Use the HIPAA letter program:

 

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

 

If your initial dispute letter to the CRAs does not obtain a deletion AND if you obtain a response from the reporting CAs that PROVES a current business relationship, AND if your records and your EOMBs match the amounts claimed, you can then pay the OC with the HIPAA letter insert "a".

 

The main thing you have to remember that the HIPAA letter program is designed to get you a TOTAL DELETION of the account from your reports, if you pay the CA or pay the OC without using the program you will wind up with a paid collection on your reports, which is WORSE than an unpaid one.

 

Make sure you obtain your EOMBs and check them carefully for PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY, sometimes the amount that are "left over" after discounts are sent to CAs. This is illegal balance billing.