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Facts about medical bills sent to collections by HIPAA

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Facts about medical bills sent to collections by HIPAA

If you think paying your bills on time will shield you from damage caused by a collection account, think again. Your credit may be damaged by medical bills you aren't aware of, and your chances are slim.

A number of Americans have collection accounts on their credit reports, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. About one-third of Americans have such accounts. About half of all collection accounts with a named creditor come from medical bills. Your medical bill is likely to be in collections as well.

You may not know that you owe anything when your medical bills reach collections. There are four common myths about medical bills that can cost you dearly, and how you can avoid them if you manage your credit and medical expenses more proactively. Removing medical collections from credit report HIPAA

Clearly stating what consumers are responsible for is their right. Some people think their medical insurance will cover all expenses, so they owe nothing. This isn't always the case with insurance since visits and procedures are billed differently. To prevent anything from being sent to collections, it's best to always be prepared for the worst.

Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) are usually released by providers before a bill is issued by the insurance company. It's important that you read these essential documents carefully to understand your estimated out-of-pocket expenses. Get in touch with your insurance provider and the provider if you have questions about something not being covered.

Medical debts are given less weight: As a result, medical collections have a smaller impact on a score when using scoring models such as FICO 9 and VantageScore 4.0. Some creditors may still use these old scoring models, so medical collections can still harm your credit score.

Medical debts are given a grace period: The three credit bureaus now wait 180 days before listing medical debt on your credit reports. This grace period gives you time to figure out payment options before the debt affects your credit scores.

Medical debts are removed once paid: While most collections remain on your credit report for seven years, medical debt is removed once it has been paid or is being paid by insurance. Unpaid medical debt in collections will still remain on your credit report for seven years from the original delinquency date.

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