I had a medical bill go to a collection agency. Is there a HIPAA violation if they try to report this on my credit report? I have made montly payments to the hospital but apparently it wasn't enough for them. I am thinking of writing a letter to the hospital saying I don't deal with collection agencies and how I will continue to pay them. I was going to ask them to recall the debt from the CA so they get all the money on the account and not have to pay a CA. I was told that the collection agency that they sent it to get's 50% of the money they collect. This way the hospital get's all their money. I have already sent a validation letter and this collection agency is famous for validating debts.
Just continue to pay the hospital Bubbles. And go ahead and write your letter. Let someone take a look at it before you send tho. I'd also argue that since you guy's are so anxious to send this [actively paying] account to a CA, thus forsaking half your money, I shall now pay you half the money. HALF the money you say I owe is obviously not very important to you, ... now is it? ~~~~ .
If I continue to pay the hospital and the CA list's this on my report is there a HIPAA violation there? When I write the letter I will post it and get some feedback. Thanks!
No - When you saw the Doc. you signed a financial responsibility agreement which [probably] states they can exchange info. for collection purposes. Call the OC tomorrow and try to get them to recall the acct.. They probably submitted by mistake anyway. Be sweet. Ya know, bat your eye lashes over the phone. ~ Come back here Bubbles and let us know what happens. .
Re: Re: medical collection Question Butch, I understand that when you sign all that paperwork you are giving them permission to exchange info, but isn't that for the purpose of collection only? Say, someone has an account that went to a CA (hospital never even billed this person..just sent to the CA), CA was paid a moth after the bill was received...it's been 5 years..CA refuses to remove. Would HIPPA apply here?
Re: Re: medical collection Why Chat has a great hipaa letter on his website to use, if the account was BEFORE April, 2003. Anything after that date, we've all had to sign our Hipaa disclosures. Hi Butch!
Re: Re: Re: medical collection I have a question on this thread. If the dates of service for the account that went to the CA is before 4/03, would there be a Hipaa violation? I am in the same boat kinda.
