There’s an unfair and shameful portrayal that promotes the idea that people who find themselves in debt are always at fault and not responsible enough to handle their finances. This stigma is not always deserved. Being relentlessly pursued by debt collectors is an experience that no one should have to endure. Medical debt collection practices and medical debt collectors can be ruthless. Finding yourself in medical debt is an unsettling experience.
It’s hard enough to recover from a health condition or surgery, let alone with creditors harassing you day in and day out. The bills are very high, and frequently there is little clarity given from health insurance providers on what expenses are actually covered prior to receiving treatment. These circumstances leave people in recovery vulnerable to debt collection harassment for medical expenses they were not told they would be responsible for.
A report released in 2020 revealed that a staggering 28 hospitals in Texas were reported to use sophisticated predatory practices to collect debts and sue patients. It’s truly a sad position for the medical community to be in, and even more unfortunate for patients that need care.
This article will discuss some of the signs and patterns of medical debt collection harassment and how you can be best prepared to defend yourself against debt chasers who disregard decency and sometimes the laws.
Medical Debt Collections – How does it differ?
It’s fair to say that the American healthcare system is challenged, at the very least. There are inefficiencies and endless bureaucracy from each branch of heath care. But at the end of the day, people must attend to their health and wellness needs, so they have no choice but to trust the medical advice they’re given.
Research has shown that over a quarter of Americans face problems while trying to resolve medical debt. Third-party debt collectors are more than happy to capitalize on this sad truth, and the failings of the systems, which is why more than half of all the debt collectors are looking to recover is medical debt.
Medical debt collectors may conduct themselves no differently than other third-party debt collectors. The same debt collection agencies that handle credit card debt collection may also have a division dedicated to medical debt, specifically.
If you need an experienced medical debt attorney or debt collection harassment attorney, please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions.
Medical Debt Collections – How do I know If they’ve crossed the line?
The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act prohibit medical debt collectors from using abusive and predatory collection tactics.
So, how do you know if medical debt collectors have violated your consumer rights?
Here are some of the most routinely documented violations that medical debt collectors may practice, and try to capitalize on:
False billing – Trying to collect for medical services that never occurred
Some of our clients have been harassed by creditors for faulty billing. A patient refused to pay for services they never had! Yes, it can occur that patients will receive a bill for treatment or procedure that they never had. This incorrect billing could be due to a canceled appointment, rescheduled or canceled procedure, or an out-of-network charge; regardless of being told the service a patient did receive was in-network. The difficulty here is that it’s not simple to clear up false billing, especially once it’s gone to collections and follows you around, like zombie debt.
Out-of-network providers operating at your in-network hospital
An increasingly concerning trend is out-of-network services providers operating under the guise of being in-network at your in-network facility. If you go to the hospital and your PCP recommends you see a specialist within the same facility, you’d assume that the specialist is within your network. Your PCP may even tell you that they are in-network, then you come to find out you have been billed out-of-network rates for services. It’s the classic “bait and switch” scenario. If you cannot afford the thousands of dollars an out-of-network provider claims you owe; medical debt collectors will likely pursue you.
Inexcusable debt collection tactics
If you feel threatened, cornered, and pursued tirelessly by medical debt collectors, then chances are they’ve not followed the laws put in place to protect consumers from predatory practices. Debt collectors cannot make threats, call you outside of allotted hours, claim they work for the hospital, or issue ultimatums.
Don’t feel that you must tolerate these unfair practices from debt collectors. Help is available, and you don’t need to feel helpless. Our experienced medical debt attorneys can offer guidance and protection from unfair debt collection practices.
Don’t let predatory collection practices ruin your quality of life, take action and make it clear you will not be bullied.