Lawyer calling about hospital bill. Need advice please!

[seetheworld1]

It never ends. Just two days ago I learned that I had gotten some really bad derogs off my report and then today I get a call from an attorney about a medical bill from 2011. Honestly, it was such a bad couple of years for me medically that that I got a ton of complicated and confusing bills but it seemed my insurance took care of it all. I have very good insurance, fortunately, and figured anything that the insurance didn’t pay the hospital would notify me of at some point. Instead of hearing from them, I’m getting calls from an aggressive attorney. Can you guys advise me on how to proceed? The amount is $2,000 and I’d be happy to enter a payment agreement but the attorney’s rep is pushing me to pay a big part of it soon – which I can’t afford. What should I do? I’d much rather deal with the hospital, but is it too late at this point, since they have an attorney calling me? I asked the attorney for a copy of the bill and he said they typically wouldn’t give it to him unless we go into litigation. I’m really not sure what to make of that but I’ll call the hospital first thing in the morning. Can you please help me handle this the right way? I’m just getting started with rebuilding my credit and I’d hate to have all that good work go to waste because I handle this wrong. Thanks so much for all your help.

[Why Chat]

You are being scammed.

 

Unless and until you receive a notice in writing from this "attorney" that he is collecting on behalf of the hospital he is acting illegally by threatening you with legal action without having provided you with any documentation of his authorization to collect.

 

Next time he calls, tell him the call is being recorded and that you want his name, the name of his firm and their address. Report him to your County law enforcement and your State consumer protection, and the CFPB.

 

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

 

You should also get your credit reports and opt out

 

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

 

As you are subject to further scam artists poisoning your reports and/or illegally trying to get $$ from you.

Edited December 19, 2013 by Why Chat

[seetheworld1]

Thanks, Why Chat. I've been doing some Googling and I learned that this alleged law office is apparently a front for a collection agency. The caller said he was from the law office of Mark Nichter, and I just saw on the BBB website that it's an alternate name for an outfit called Trans Continental Credit Collections Corp, located in White Plains, NY. When this person calls me back tomorrow, I will get his contact info, as you instructed, and then ask that he conduct all future communications with me in writing. I will follow that with a DV letter. This hasn't yet hit my credit report. (I have already opted out and removed old addresses.) Thanks so much. I'll update this thread with any progress.

[seetheworld1]

Hi, guys. So to update: I called the hospital and they said their collection agency probably referred this to the attorney. The hospital is sending me statements from hospital and physicans' billing so I can see the amounts. Based on what the billing dept said, a lot of these bills go back to 2007 and 2008, which is close to the SOL. Should I just offer to settle with the CA provided they don't report this on my CR? The lawyer/bill collector is saying it's around $2,000 total. I won't know exactly until I get the bill because he refuses to provide any documentation. Should I DV anyway (since it'll likely come back verified?) Or should I offer a settlement? If so, what would be a reasonable figure to offer them and how would I word my letter to ensure they don't put this on my report as a paid collection? Thanks for your help!

[Why Chat]

You don't seem to understand-- the "lawyer" has NO RIGHT to collect from you. IF there was ever a legitimate bill that the hospital assigned to a collection agency, then at that time 4 years ago there MIGHT have been some reason for you to consider paying the hospital with the HIPAA letter insert "a" so as to prevent ANY notation appearing on your reports.

 

The HIPAA privacy rights are NOT transferable, the CA "lawyer" who obtained your date did NOT acquire it from the original CA nor is there any valid reason for you to pay them a red cent. If you send them the letter they will have to stop their collection efforts and can NOT report it. Only the ORIGINAL assigned collection agency of the hospital had ANY right to collect, much less sue you.

 

You can do as you please, and the next time some crook walks up to you on the street and demands $$ from you-- you can try to settle with him too.

[seetheworld1]

Thanks, Why Chat. Your help is appreciated.