Medical collections accounts ...

[germaine]

Hi,

I am new to repairing my credit. I just received 2 reports from the credit bureaus and I have many medical collections accounts that are from several years ago.. not 7 years yet. I have many questions. I want to clear these items off my record. Should I pay the original creditor or the collection agency? Also what is a sample letter to use to request that the item after being paid has a status of paid and not collection. I am trying to improve my credit score.

Also, I have 2 settlement accounts with credit card companies that I paid 3 years ago. It is showing paid settle-less than full. Is there any way to change these accounts in a favorable way.

Thanks for helping me.

[mountaindews]

There is a post in the beginners forum on medical bills. I also disputed with the CRA's and some of mine came off without having to deal directly with the hospitals or the providers.

As for the settlements. Try disputing with the CRA's first and see what happens. I have not dealt with a settlement like that so I can't give you any really good advice. I'm sure Chane would have some great advice.

[chane]

How old are they? Paying them will reset the DOLA and ensure that they stay on for 7 more years as negative accounts and probably hurt your credit scores even worse.

[germaine]

Hi, Chane

Thanks for responding. This forum is great. Such wonderful people willing to help others. I have many doctor collections. Some from 2003, 2006, 2007. I had some older ones but I noticed on my TransUnion credit report, the date updated says 12/2008 even though this bills are around the same years 2003, 2004. What should I do? Should I pay those older bills 2003, 2006. And is it legal for them to update those older bills to 12/2008.

The settlement account on the 2 credit cards I paid out were from 2005.

Now, I am at lost on how to go about clearing up my record. I was recently turned down for an auto loan and usually I have no problems getting one even though my score is usually in the low 600.

I will be anxiously waiting to hear from you.

Thanks again.

[chane]

Your best bet is probably sending them a pay for delete letter or just paying them and then disputing them with the CRAs after 30-60 days.

It's easier to get paid collection accounts removed, but like I said, if they don't come off...they are on their for 7 years from the DOLA (date of last activity).

[germaine]

Thanks, Chane

Your information is great and I will definitely work on these collection accounts in the coming year.