for 3 months now, i have been going through my equifax credit report trying to get things removed by disputing. ive religiously been reading all sorts of blogs and posts with awsome helpful advice. ive been able to get 14 accounts removed. however, there is one collection agency that had 4 accounts with me for medical bills. i disputed them all and in the end, they listed them as "paid collections" , that wasnt good enough for me, i disputed them further, stating they werent mine to begin with and if they were, verify them..2 months past and no response. finally, a couple weeks ago, i disputed ( 4th time) with equifax AND the CA in writing sent certified mai..Equifax finally deleted all of the accounts, THEN the next day, one of the medical bills was reinsterted into my credit report. i called the CA to request, AGAIN, validation of that bill, the lady sent me via postal mail with two scanned copies from the hospital emergency room with my signature, ( however) the only form it was, was a scanned copy of my consent for treatment in the ER, it also listed what i was being seen for, my illnesses. no where on the form did it have an invoice showing the amt owed from the hospital, again, all it was, a scanned copy of the consent for treatment with the diagnosis i was being treated for...if i have done my research right ( which is what im asking on this post).
1. were they in violation for reinserting, isnt that considered continued collection actions reporting the account while it is being disputed?
2. is a scanned "consent for treatment" form with no billing amt considered "verifiable proof'?
3. isnt it against HIPPA policy to actually list the medical diagnosis/treatment i was being seen for?
any information you can give is always appreciated.
thanks
Hi bobbyrboyer,
As far as I know, billing information at the clinic is protected under the privacy policy of HIPAA. In that case, the credit bureaus may consider the scanned copy of "consent for treatment" as "verifiable proof" of the debt. So you may not be able to dispute with the credit bureaus, on the ground that the collection agency has been unable to validate the debt. I think you should try to pay off the debt accounts. You can negotiate a reduced amount, if you cannot afford to pay down in full.
isnt it against HIPPA policy to actually list the medical diagnosis/treatment i was being seen for?
Sending a scanned copy of "consent for treatment" form may not be a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). According to the Privacy Policy of HIPAA, the information on "consent for treatment" is not protected. You can know more about what information is protected under the policy at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html
Fair Credit Reporting Act HIPPA
here is what ive read which confused me:
An unpaid bill, like any other debt claimed to be owed, may be reported to a collection agency. What's more, an unpaid medical bill can appear as a negative entry on your credit report. Information that can be disclosed to a collection agency about you includes:
* Your name and address
* Date of birth
* Social Security number
* Payment history
* Account number
* Name and address of the health care provider or health plan that says you owe the money.
several posts ive read said that any information about your health or diagnosis cannot be shared. as well, with all due respect, i think your comment maybe backward. your billing information isnt protectec, rather, thats the only thing that can be disclosed, NOT your health or medical diagnosis. Consent for treatment is not, to me, considered evidentury proof of the amt owed. i merely want to know the amt owed. its easy for them to say i owe an amount, show me first what the bill is. as well, the consent for treatment copies they sent me consisted of two copies, its also funny that one form has "suposedly " my signature but totally isnt , both forms have my signature but you can clearly tell the two signatures are COMPLETLY different, the one that doesnt at ALL look like my signature, in the "date" field that you sign and date, the date is lietterally scribbled, you cannot make the date out. so that is also troublesome for me to make heads or tells of what this bill is for.
Re: Question about a medical bill
Hi bobby,
The best way to know the exact amount you owe is to contact your original creditor. You can tell your creditor that the collection agency has not been able to provide any proof of the debt, and request them to accept payments for your debt account. In that case, you will not end up paying more than what you owe, because it is possible that the CA will charge you some extra bucks.
Hi bobby,
I don't think a "consent for treatment" form is a proper proof that validates the debt. You should dispute the issue with the credit bureaus. You must send a "Dispute Letter" to the bureaus through certified mail, with a return receipt requested. If the credit bureaus are able to verify the debt, they will send you written proof of all records related to the debt account.
If the bureaus are unable to gather proof of the debt account while they investigate, they are required to remove the account from your credit report. The bureaus are also liable to send you a free copy of your credit report.
Medical bills on my credit
I was told in the state of California medical bills can't go against your credit. Is this true? Can a collection agency attach medical bills on my credit?
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