Debt Collections

Debt collection has become an important fact of life for today’s health care provider. You must be careful that you are following the law when attempting to collect debts owed to you and your practice. If you use a debt collection service, you must be careful they are following the law! The Fair Debt Collection Practices act, a federal law, requires that the debt collector’s written notice, within five days of its initial communication with the patient state:

1 – The amount of the debt
2 – The name of the creditor to whom the debts is owed amongst other things.

Often the collection agency or management company, attempting to collect the debt, omits the provider’s name. The patient does not have to prove any actual damages. Statutory damages are up to $1000. Do things the correct way when attempting to collect a debt for medical services rendered.

Courtesy of Frier Levitt, Attorneys at Law