Next Step for Why Chat's HIPAA Dispute Process

[allclear]

Hi all 

I have a medical/doctors bill for $1,400.00 from April 2019 that is showing only on my Experian Credit Report. 

The "Account Name" is showing as a CA. The "Original Creditor" is showing as the doctor.

I've followed @Why Chat's guide; opted out, checked addresses, and sent the pre HIPAA Dispute Letter to the reporting CRA - I'm showing it was received on 4/16/2021. So far I've received nothing from the CRA - I know it's a bit early. 

Here is where I could use some advice/guidance: 

While the OC bill is valid it is incorrect. I was very sick at the time of service in question, my doctor was on vacation so he had me go in and see his office mate a doctor who does not accept insurance. I distinctly remember said doctor kindly saying he would only charge me $200.00 for the visit. Unfortunately all I have is that verbal agreement - b/c of my health at the time I left the office without collecting any paperwork or making a payment.

1. I've tried calling the OC's billing department and explaining this but there was nothing they could do other than refer me to the CA.

2. I also emailed the doctor reminding him of our verbal agreement - I've yet to hear back from him. 

3. The CA called today, I answered. I told them the amount I owe is $200 not $1400 and that I would take it up with the doctor. 

Any further action or steps in the HIPAA process I can take now? - I really need to get this off my credit report - It's tanking my score and we are looking to lease a car ASAP.

Would I be foolish to dispute online with Experian? - I assume the answer is yes.

Would be grateful for any and all advise/guidance.

Thanks in advance!

  

 

 

 

[Why Chat]

It is VERY doubtful that the reporting CA obtained the account from the Dr. it is more than likely it is a JDB (junk debt buyer) who has NO authorization to report or collect a [color=red] RED CENT[/color] you should NOT have called them

If you followed the guides;

https://whychat.me/GUIDEBOOK.html

https://whychat.me/GUIDE HIPAA PROGRAM.html

 The fact that it is only reporting to 1 CRA is further evidence it is an invalid collection. Since you sent Ex the dispute letter

https://whychat.me/hipaadisp.html

only a few weeks ago, it is too soon to do anything else.

 

Calling or going on line to Ex will DESTROY the efforts you have made with the HIPAA letter program as it will enter you into the automated computer response system.

 

If it isn't deleted within the next 2 weeks, send the CA this;

https://whychat.me/ltrcavalhipaa.html

and send Ex this;

https://whychat.me/ltrcavalhipaa.html#DISPUTE

 

[allclear]

Thanks for responding! @Why Chat.

Not sure this matters, but just to clarify...

 

1. I called the doctors billing office and explained the verbal agreement. They said I need to talk to the doctor or the CA - they provided me with the CA's contact info. 

2. I emailed the doctor. No response yet.

3. I did NOT call the CA, they called me today and I happened to answer. All I said was that the amount was incorrect and that I would be talking to the doctor. Did I screw anything up?

Unless you advise otherwise, I'll hold my horses, follow your advice and let the process play out. 

 

Sorry, one more question... If I'm able to get hold of the doctor via email or phone, he acknowledges our verbal agreement - $200.00 for the visit and agrees to accept payment. What would be the cleanest and fastest way to get him paid and get this removed from my credit report? 

 

Thanks again!

[Why Chat]

If the doctor acknowledges the $200. agreement AND the billing office sends you a corrected bill, you can pay it with the HIPAA letter insert "a".

https://whychat.me/hipltr.html

[allclear]

Understood. Really appreciate the guidance. I'll revert back with updates. 

[allclear]

@Why Chat and everyone else, here is the latest - I really hope I didn't screw things up.

 

1. As I stated in my first post:

• I opted out
• Mailed the CRA (Experian) the HIPAA dispute letter - printed directly from @Why Chat's site on paper with blue sky + cloud background, handwritten in blue ink, sent via priority mail proof of delivery only.

2. This is where I might have screwed things:

• I signed up for Experian Credit Works - I've been working on some other baddies as well as paying down credit card debt - and wanted a way to monitor results daily.
• FYI - I did NOT dispute the medical collections account online, thru the app, or over the phone, only using the aforementioned HIPAA dispute letter. 

3. Yesterday I received an email from Experian stating:

• "Your Account Dispute is OPEN"
• When I log-in to Experian the medical account is now showing as "Pending Dispute"
• When I log-in on the Experian app. it says: "You have opened an Account Dispute on your Experian credit report." It goes on to say; "The dispute for the account XXX that starts with XXX has been received and should be completed by 05/20/2021." Below that it says;  "What now? We'll process the disputed items with the data furnisher or vendor that collected the information from public record. You'll recieve alerts when updates are available and when your full results are ready to view."

4. Today I received a call from the CA - I did NOT answer the phone. They did NOT leave a message.

 

@Why Chat: 

By signing up for "Experian Credit Works" did I screw-up the entire process?

Could the account still be removed? - maybe I'm overreacting? 

 

Please advise. Thanks again, in advance for all your guidance. 

Edited April 29, 2021 by allclear

[allclear]

Sorry to spam you @Why Chat. Literally just after posting the above I got the below email from the CA - they must have got my email either from the OC (doctor) or CRA (Experian).

 

Xxxxx,

Call me when you have a chance concerning your online dispute and our discussion from the other day.

I heard from Dr. Xxxxxx so we can clarify and get this wrapped up. Thanks.

 

Should I call him?

respond to the email?

Anything I should or should not say? 

If the doctor is okay with the agreed upon amount - $200.00 - I'm okay to pay it as long as this is completely deleted from my CR - i.e. a PFD.

 

Thanks again!

[Why Chat]

The CA got your e-mail from Experian.

DO NOT RESPOND

 

Wait until you have the result of your dispute from Experian.

 

Yes you messed up the program by signing up with Experian for their "monitoring" service. This negated your opt out so you will have to opt out again.

As I said on April 22:

"Calling or going on line to Ex will DESTROY the efforts you have made with the HIPAA letter program as it will enter you into the automated computer response system."

 

IF you get a response from the Dr. and get IN WRITING the correct amount of the bill you can pay it with the HIPAA letter insert "a".

(I doubt VERY MUCH that you will get that call as the CA likely lied when they said "I heard from Dr. Xxxxxx so we can clarify and get this wrapped up." 

 

If they WERE in a current business relationship with the Dr they would not be e-mailing you they would be verifying the account and reporting it to all 3 CRAs.

 

 

[allclear]

UPDATE - Hopefully my situation is helpful to others going through this process. 

 

I ended up speaking with the doctor's (OC) nurse/assistant, we hit it off and she poked around for me. She confirmed the doctor recalled our verbal agreement to charge me $200 for the appointment. In addition she confirmed the doctor called the CA authorizing them to accept the $200 and delete/remove from my credit report. She also said the doctor works with this particular CA and he's not a bad guy. I was hesitant but decided to call the CA. 

 

CA confirmed he spoke with the doctor, would accept payment of $200, and delete from my credit report while we were on the phone. I rolled the dice, made the payment, and he verbally confirmed it was deleted. I followed-up with an email to CA outlining our conversation, payment amount, deletion, and agreement with the doctor. CA responded "confirmed on all points". Early this morning I received a notification from Experian that the account has deleted from my credit report - I confirmed this by pulling my credit report this morning.

 

Now, here is the lesson - follow @Why Chat's directions to the T. i.e. when @Why Chat says DO NOT CALL OR GO ONLINE, this should be taken literally - if you read the thread you will see I screwed the process up by signing up for Experian Credit Works. I got very LUCKY! this could have easily gone the other way, and I'd be looking at months of dealing with this.

 

Hopefully this has been helpful for others. A major thank you to @Why Chat for guidance and always promptly responding to my posts.

 

Have a great weekend!