Consumer complaint received 2015-10-31
Company: Patient Accounting Service Center
State: NV
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
I am in the process of buying a home. After reviewing my credit reports I noticed a medical collection from a company named ARstrat. 

I called them on a couple of different occasions I believe in XXXX 2015 to inquire on the collection as I am sure I had medical insurance at the time they said I had received ER service. I asked for a statement of services as I was not sure if this was for a bill for my kids, wife or self. It took over 60 days to receive these documents. The medical records looked to be sent from the hospital to ARstrat then forwarded to me from the looks of the envelope. I have a feeling there may have been privacy violations in regards to my medical records. I still have the envelope, its labeling, etc. 

The main reason for my complaint is the fact that I paid ARstrat in full XXXX/XXXX/2015 with the agreement that the collection reporting would be removed from my credit file. Again, I am in the process of securing the best financing possible to purchase my home and ARstrat is the only blemish on my credit report. It was worth it to me to pay the {$1300.00} and submit for reimbursement to my insurance company. When I made the payment by phone I was promised I would receive a receipt for my payment and a letter/copy of the notice being sent to all credit bureaus to delete the collection account from my reports. As of XXXX/XXXX/2015 these 2 promises have not been fulfilled. ARstrat records all phone conversations. I too have the phone call recorded when this agreement was made. 

On XXXX/XXXX/2015 I submitted a dispute to both XXXX and XXXX to remove the collection account from my credit reports. I did n't have the best feeling this was going to get handled and thought it would be best to submit a dispute just in case ARstrat did n't hold up their end of the bargain. After all, ARstrat has been paid. 

As of XXXX/XXXX/2015 the collection was removed from my XXXX report but NOT XXXX. I called Transunion to see why it was not removed and was told they did not receive a notice to delete it from my credit report. They did receive an update from ARstrat to reflect the collection account as a " current '' unpaid collection with an outstanding balance due of {$1300.00}. Updating the collection in this fashion dropped my XXXX score significantly. 

I called ARstrat, spoke with a representative who told me notices were sent to the credit bureaus to remove the collection entry. She was unsure why the Transunion had not updated their records and assured me notice was sent on XXXX/XXXX/2015 to have it deleted. She asked I call back the following day to speak with the one who handles credit reporting. I called back, spoke with the credit lady who said the notice was sent and to give it 30 more days. I agreed. 

On XXXX/XXXX/2015, I pulled my Transunion report and was surprised to see the medical collection with ARstrat is still on my report but is now updated to " Paid ''. It still has not been removed. I called ARstrat, spoke with another rep who said notices were sent to Transunion on XXXX/XXXX/2015 to have the collection deleted. She also said my payment receipt and letter of credit removal was sent on XXXX/XXXX/2015 and could take 60 more days. I heard the same thing last month and waiting 60 more days is NOT ACCEPTABLE. 

I 've been very patient. But, Its clear to me ARstrat has NOT sent notices to Transunion to delete the collection as agreed. In addition, it should NOT take 60 days to receive my payment receipt and letter of credit removal. Again, I am buying a home. This collection is holding me up. Without my payment receipt I can not submit for insurance reimbursement. Getting a {$1000.00} reimbursement would come in handy for my home purchase as well. 

This whole situation is costing me time, money, and causing EXTREME XXXX. I will not and can not continue to wait for this to be resolved.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation