About to start HIPAA

[nomadtrick]

Hello and first of all thanks to everyone especially why chat for the valuable information on this forum.

 

 

 

 

I am about to start the process of trying to get a single medical collection off my wife's reports. The collection is from 6 years ago so has just a year left, but it will hurt our attempts at a mortgage this year, so that's why I'm going to go through this.

 

 

Mostly I am starting this thread to document our progress. Hopefully this will be valuable to others as well.

 

 

At this point I have done the quick opt-out per Why Chat's instructions. We have moved a couple times since the medical bill in question from 2008. So I will be sending the letter to delete the old address from my wife's reports that matches the medical collection. However, my wife also had a different married name (from a previous marriage) at the time. Should I also try and get that name deleted?

 

 

 

 

 

[Why Chat]

No, the name change will not impact anything and it will just delay the process.

 

Considering the time frame of the account being over 6 years old, I suggest you just send the initial dispute letter without waiting for the address change.

 

Sending it in her current name and address will likely get you a quick deletion especially if it is not reporting on all 3 of her reports.

[nomadtrick]

Thank you! Appreciate the quick feedback. I'll send those letters today.

[nomadtrick]

Here's the update so far:

 

Sent the letters on March 17.

This past friday, March 28, received letter from Transunion that they were deleting. One down.

No reply yet from Experian

Equifax sent my wife an email:

 

Your most recent Equifax reinvestigation has been started. This process can take up to 30 days to complete. For faster delivery of your results, you can now receive the results of your investigation online.

To accept receipt of the results of your investigation online, please click on this hyperlink:

.. link ...

 

I should add that my wife had unsuccessfully disputed this item online over a year ago.

[Why Chat]

DO NOT CLICK!!

[nomadtrick]

Don't worry. I did not click the link

 

However, my wife received in the mail today a letter from Experian that says:

 

We are responding to your request to verify item(s) on your personal credit report. We have already investigated this information and the credit grantor has verified its accuracy...

 

So it's a form letter saying they won't investigate.

 

I should also note that when we checked the backdoor, they didn't have anything new on the status so they did not mark it as under investigation

Edited April 1, 2014 by nomadtrick

[nomadtrick]

OK. Finally got an answer from Equifax. They said they 'confirmed the debt belongs to you'. However, nothing about the investigation details requested. And have received nothing from the Collection Agency with any info confirming anything.

 

So:

Transunion - Deleted immediately

Experian - Refused to investigate (because they claimed they investigated it last year)

Equifax - Claimed to confirm it but did receive any information.

 

 

Next step: Why Chat's Medical Dispute Validation Letter

[Esplanade]

OK. Finally got an answer from Equifax. They said they 'confirmed the debt belongs to you'. However, nothing about the investigation details requested. And have received nothing from the Collection Agency with any info confirming anything.

 

So:

Transunion - Deleted immediately

Experian - Refused to investigate (because they claimed they investigated it last year)

Equifax - Claimed to confirm it but did receive any information.

 

 

Next step: Why Chat's Medical Dispute Validation Letter

Equifax - research MOV (method of verification letters), learn the principles behind the law you are going to cite, then send it along CMRR..

 

Experian - a CRA put into writing 'we refuse to investigate..because we did so last year' ? No problem. Do a little research on 'cra refused to invesitgate' - and take in some knowledge - then send them a second letter, with a cc to your states attorney general/consumer affairs and the FTC.. you have in their own letter they are refusing to investigate - perhaps the AG or FTC could assist their research..

 

Transunion - good for them, and you - transunion in my personal experience has been hit or miss. you lucked out - also read up about 'reinsertion' and the applicable FCRA section that covers it.

 

practice these kata until your form is strong... ive been there, done it.

[Why Chat]

 

OK. Finally got an answer from Equifax. They said they 'confirmed the debt belongs to you'. However, nothing about the investigation details requested. And have received nothing from the Collection Agency with any info confirming anything.

 

So:

Transunion - Deleted immediately

Experian - Refused to investigate (because they claimed they investigated it last year)

Equifax - Claimed to confirm it but did receive any information.

 

 

Next step: Why Chat's Medical Dispute Validation Letter

Equifax - research MOV (method of verification letters), learn the principles behind the law you are going to cite, then send it along CMRR..

 

Experian - a CRA put into writing 'we refuse to investigate..because we did so last year' ? No problem. Do a little research on 'cra refused to invesitgate' - and take in some knowledge - then send them a second letter, with a cc to your states attorney general/consumer affairs and the FTC.. you have in their own letter they are refusing to investigate - perhaps the AG or FTC could assist their research..

 

Transunion - good for them, and you - transunion in my personal experience has been hit or miss. you lucked out - also read up about 'reinsertion' and the applicable FCRA section that covers it.

 

practice these kata until your form is strong... ive been there, done it.

 

Your methods may be appropriate for non medical disputes, ( although I doubt it) But they are completely inappropriate for medical accounts as the goal of the HIPAA letter program is to LIMIT communication, not expand it.

[Esplanade]

Public thanks to Why Chat for my public correction and attnetion to detail..

 

My appology for not noticing the HIPPA category..