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Debt Recovery

Collection Agency for Music Store, Rental & Musical Instruments Repair Shop

music collections
Debt Collection Agencies have been assisting music stores and music learning centers to recover money from past-due accounts. Their recovery rate may vary, but a collection agency knows how to deal with those challenging debtors, explain the consequences of not paying, and take all permissible actions by following the federal and state debt collection laws.

Music stores in America are struggling with ever-increasing accounts receivable, and this trend is being seen nationwide. People rent musical instruments or buy accessories; however, few cannot pay their installments on time.

Parents of many kids enroll their kids in private music lessons like guitar, piano, or keyboard classes, but their wards drop out even though they are under the contractual agreement to make payments for the full term of the music course. In-house employees can send invoice reminders and make a few calls, but they are not trained to do anything beyond that.

The involvement of a collection agency makes a huge difference. No defaulter wants their account to be transferred to a collection agency because all those excuses, which were so far working with the music store, ain’t going to work anymore. Debt collectors are experts in talking around those excuses.

If you are a music store and looking for a good Collection Agency with extensive experience in recovering money from unpaid bills: Contact Us

A collection agency will not recover 100% of the accounts assigned, but let’s assume that an agency can recover from 40% of those past-due accounts. Then this is the money that the music store would have never been able to collect themself.

Collection Agencies can put debtors under the payment plan if they cannot pay bills in a lump sum. Equipped with lawyer-approved Collection Letters, Collection Calls and Legal Collections, they can collect from at least those who have resources to pay but have been avoiding. They are also able to trace missing people using the Skip Tracing service. Some debtors could have filed for bankruptcy, therefore their debts could have been legally wiped out. Collection Agencies run a Bankruptcy Scrub on all accounts assigned to avoid such cases. They can do collections in both Spanish and English.

Music stores, Rental and Repair shops have been hiring collection agencies for decades, and their role in protecting accounts from turning red is very important. Have a clear strategy for dealing with late payments, including when to charge late fees, when to send a payment to collections, and when to consider legal action.

Filed Under: Debt Recovery

Collection Agency for Plastic Surgeons: Recover Unpaid Bill

plastic surgery
Nearly 2 million Americans undergo plastic surgery every year. Unfortunately, thousands of these patients default on their payment obligations, and many of these receivables are eventually forwarded to a Collection Agency.

Since cosmetic surgery is considered an elective surgery, it is usually not covered by regular insurance. Even though most patients use their Cash Savings, Health Cards ( like Care Credit Card), PatientFi, and Personal Credit Cards to make payments, many patients make payment arrangements directly with the doctor’s office. These arrangements can vary in detail and scope.

Most popular plastic surgery procedures include: Breast augmentation, Liposuction, Eyelid surgery, Nose surgery, Tummy Tuck and Tumor removal. It is estimated that Americans spend over 16 billion dollars annually on cosmetic and plastic surgeries. Since the cost of these procedures run from $3,000 to upwards of $25,000, non-payment by just a few patients can have a huge impact on the cash flow and profitability of the doctor’s office.

The in-house staff at the plastic surgeon’s office is really not qualified or experienced to handle past-due bills beyond sending a few reminder letters and making phone calls. This is where a Debt Collection Agency comes in and attempts to recover the unpaid bill more persistently, diplomatically and (most important) legally. Collection agencies have tools and subscriptions to various services that assist in a successful recovery of the medical bill. They can even initiate legal action against the patient by taking him to court if nothing else works.

The moment a Collection Agency is involved, the whole equation changes. Frankly, no one wants to hear from a Collection Agency.

The patient knows that the case has been forwarded to a professional debt collector and all those excuses he has been giving to the plastic surgeon’s office so far will not work anymore. They will now have to face all possible recovery measures permissible under the law.

The fees charged by collection agencies are worth the investment. In-fact if a plastic surgeon wishes, the case can be directly assigned for contingency collections in which there are no fees unless a recovery is made.

A plastic surgeon should hire a collection agency carefully. It is important to know whether the agency has extensive experience with medical collections and if it is insured. Do not go for a collection agency simply because it is near you, go for the better one instead. Your collection agency should be licensed to collect in the state where your debtors are located.

Just a handful of collection agencies perform the Litigious Patient scrub to check if the patient has a history of filing lawsuits ( or frivolous lawsuits), in such cases, the collection agency will advise the doctor’s office to take an alternate approach just to be safe.

If you need a debt collection agency with extensive experience in medical collections: Contact Us

Filed Under: Debt Recovery

Collision Repair Debt: Recovering “Pocketed Checks” & Deficiency Balances

body shop

In the auto body industry, you aren’t just fighting rust and bent frames; you are fighting a payment system designed to fail you.

The most dangerous phrase in a shop owner’s life is: “The insurance company said they mailed the check to me, I’ll bring it in when it arrives.“

When that customer ghosts you, it isn’t just a late payment. In many jurisdictions, spending an insurance payout designated for repairs is a form of insurance fraud or theft by conversion. You need a collection partner who knows how to use that leverage.

Need a Collection Agency for your Automotive Workshop: Contact Us

The 3 Hidden Revenue Leaks in Body Shops

1. The “Direction to Pay” Violation

You had the customer sign a Direction to Pay. The insurer ignored it (or claimed “clerical error”) and mailed a $4,500 check to the vehicle owner. The owner cashed it and stopped answering your calls.

  • The Agency Fix: This requires a specialized “misappropriation of funds” demand. A standard “please pay us” letter is weak here. The debtor needs to understand that this is bordering on criminal liability.

2. The “Lien Sale” Deficiency

You have a car that has been racking up storage fees for 60 days. The bill is $8,000. The car is a totaled 2014 sedan worth only $2,000 at auction.

  • The Trap: Most shops think, “I’ll just do a lien sale.”

  • The Reality: The lien sale gets you $2,000. You are still out $6,000. This is called a Deficiency Balance.

  • The Solution: You can (and should) send that remaining $6,000 balance to collections. The lien sale does not wipe the debt clean; it only offsets it.

3. “Project Purgatory” (Restoration Stalls)

Restoration shops face a unique nightmare: The “open checkbook” client who suddenly snaps the wallet shut when the car is stripped to the frame.

  • The Risk: You have a bay occupied by a non-rolling chassis. You can’t put a lien on a pile of parts easily, and you can’t push it outside to rust.

  • The Fix: Aggressive contract enforcement to recover “lost bay time” and labor hours already sunk into the tear-down.

Recent Results: Real Recovery Scenarios

These are actual types of cases specialized automotive agencies are resolving in 2025.

  • Case Study #1: The ADAS Calibration Dispute

    • The Debt: $1,450.

    • The Story: A customer picked up their vehicle but refused to pay for the “Post-Scan” and “Radar Calibration,” claiming it was a “money grab” that the insurance adjuster initially hesitated to approve.

    • The Outcome: The agency utilized the OEM Repair Procedures documentation to prove the safety necessity of the charge. The customer paid in full once the agency clarified the liability of driving an uncalibrated vehicle.

  • Case Study #2: The “Pocketed” Supplement

    • The Debt: $4,200.

    • The Story: Shop released a truck after the primary repair. A hidden damage supplement was approved later. The insurer sent the supplement check to the vehicle owner, who used it to pay their mortgage.

    • The Outcome: The collection team treated this as a wrongful retention of funds. Facing a potential credit score collapse and legal escalation regarding the misappropriated funds, the debtor arranged a 3-month repayment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a collection agency help if I didn’t get a signature on the final invoice?

A: It is harder, but yes. If you have the pre-authorization to repair and text messages/emails approving the work or acknowledging the completion, that is often enough evidence to validate the debt. Digital footprints count.

Q: Does sending a customer to collections void the warranty on their repair?

A: Generally, yes. Most standard repair contracts state that warranties are only valid on “paid in full” invoices. A collection agency can use this as leverage: “Mr. Smith, your lifetime paint warranty is void until this $500 deductible is settled.”

Q: I charged storage fees because they left the car for 3 weeks after it was ready. Can I collect that?

A: Only if your initial intake paperwork clearly lists your daily storage rate and the “grace period” (e.g., Storage charges of $75/day begin 48 hours after notice of completion). If this was posted clearly, it is a valid, collectible debt.


Stop acting as a free bank for your customers.

If you need a cost-effective Collection Agency to help you recover past-due bills: Contact Us

 

Filed Under: Debt Recovery

Ohio Medical Debt Recovery: The “Compliance Minefield” Hidden Behind Creditor-Friendly Laws

Given Ohio’s strict medical debt collection regulations, it is crucial to hire a specialist well-versed in state laws. Attempting do-it-yourself collection carries a high risk of legal non-compliance and potential litigation.

On the surface, Ohio looks like a paradise for debt collection. But this “easy” environment is deceptive.

Ohio presents a unique set of traps—specifically Senate Bill 13, the HCAP (Hospital Care Assurance Program) mandate, and the lack of a statutory hospital lien law—that often result in uncollected revenue or, worse, class-action liability for healthcare providers.

Our agency doesn’t just “call and collect.” We analyze your portfolio against Ohio’s specific legal framework to close the loopholes where revenue leaks out.


Deep Analysis: The Three “Silent Killers” of Ohio Medical Revenue

Most agencies treat Ohio like any other state. That is a mistake. Here is the strategic analysis of why standard collection methods fail here:

1. The “Intake Form” Vulnerability (SB 13 Impact)

  • The Law: Ohio recently slashed its Statute of Limitations. It is no longer 15 years. It is now 6 years for written contracts and 4 years for oral contracts/accounts.

  • The Risk: Many providers have intake forms that don’t legally qualify as a “written contract” under the new strict standards of SB 13. If your registration paperwork is flimsy, your collection window shrinks by two full years.

  • Our Solution: We audit your “Date of Service” vs. “Intake Documentation.” If we identify accounts approaching the 4-year mark, we accelerate them immediately to Step 3 or 4 before they become time-barred.

2. The “Lien Void” in Personal Injury Cases

  • The Law: Ohio is one of the few states without a statewide Hospital Lien Statute.

  • The Risk: If your patient is in a car accident and expects a settlement, you cannot simply “file a lien” with the county clerk to guarantee you get paid from the insurance check. If you wait for the case to settle, the patient often takes the money and disappears.

  • Our Solution: We aggressively pursue Letters of Protection (LOP) and Assignments of Benefits signed by both the patient and their personal injury attorney. We create a contractual lien where the statutory one is missing.

3. The HCAP “Compliance Trap”

  • The Law: Ohio law mandates that hospitals provide free care to residents below the federal poverty line (HCAP).

  • The Risk: If you send an account to collections without properly screening for HCAP eligibility, you are violating state regulations. Aggressive agencies that skip this step put your hospital’s tax-exempt status and state funding at risk.

  • Our Solution: We integrate a “Poverty Screen” into our Step 1 process. If a debtor claims hardship, we don’t just yell louder; we verify if they qualify for HCAP retroactive coverage, potentially getting you paid via state funds rather than the patient.


Future-Proofing: Preparing for HB 257

Current legislative session (2025)

The Ohio Medical Debt Fairness Act (HB 257) is currently moving through the legislature. It threatens to cap interest rates at 3% and ban medical debt reporting.

  • Our Strategy: We are shifting away from “credit reporting” as a primary leverage tool. Instead, we are focusing on legal execution (garnishment) and asset verification, ensuring that even if the laws change, your recovery percentages don’t drop.


Our 4-Step “Buckeye” Recovery System

We have adapted our standard model to leverage Ohio’s creditor tools while navigating its compliance traps.

Phase 1: The Audit & Scrub (Pre-Collection)

Before the clock starts, we scrub your files against:

  1. HCAP Eligibility: Is this patient actually a charity case?

  2. SB 13 Deadlines: Is this debt about to expire under the 4-year rule?

  • Cost: Included in service.

Phase 2: The “15-Day Notice” Protocol (Steps 1 & 2)

  • The Strategy: We send the legally required “Notice of Court Proceeding to Collect Debt” (often called the 15-day letter) early in the process. This is the prerequisite for garnishment.

  • The Psychology: When a patient sees a formal legal notice referencing their specific employer and the threat of wage attachment, priority shifts immediately to your bill.

  • The Cost: Flat fee (~$15/account). You keep 100% of recoveries.

Phase 3: Wage & Asset Leverage (Step 3)

  • The Strategy: Unlike PA, we can pursue 25% of disposable earnings. We negotiate payment plans based on this hard number. “Mr. Smith, we can set up a $200/month plan voluntarily, or the court order will take $450/month from your paycheck. Which do you prefer?”

  • The Cost: 40% contingency.

Phase 4: Litigation & Judgment (Step 4)

  • The Strategy: We use Ohio’s efficient Municipal Court system to obtain judgments. Once we have a judgment, we can execute bank attachments or garnishments.

  • The Cost: 50% contingency.


Regional Strategy: One State, Three Economies

Collecting in Ohio requires knowing the local economic pulse.

Region Economic Profile Collection Strategy
Northeast (Cleveland/Akron) Heavy Healthcare/Industrial High awareness of HCAP; we focus on insurance cleanup and union benefit coordination.
Central (Columbus) Service/Tech/Gov Higher transience. We use heavy skip-tracing to find young professionals who move frequently.
Appalachia (SE Ohio) Rural/Low-Income High HCAP volume. We focus on respectful, long-term payment plans ($50/month) that patients can actually sustain.

FAQ: The Executive Summary

Q: My current agency says they “file liens” on auto accidents. Are they lying?

A: They are likely using a generic UCC filing or bluffing. Without a specific Ohio Hospital Lien Statute, those “liens” are often legally weak. We use direct attorney contracts (Letters of Protection) which are far more enforceable in Ohio courts.

Q: What happens if the patient moves to Pennsylvania?

A: This is a common issue in Eastern Ohio. If they move to PA, we lose the ability to garnish wages (due to PA law). We rush to secure a judgment in Ohio before they move, or we transfer the file to our PA-specific team to use asset-levy strategies instead.

Q: Can we charge interest on old medical debt?

A: Yes, but be careful. The statutory rate changes annually (typically Federal short-term rate + 3%). For 2025, it is approx 8%. Charging more than the statutory limit can trigger a usury lawsuit. We automate this calculation to ensure strict compliance.


Stop using a “one-size-fits-all” strategy in a state with complex liability traps.

Click here for a Free Compliance Audit of Your Ohio Bad Debt

Filed Under: Debt Recovery

Pennsylvania Medical Debt Collection Agency

Pennsylvania Medical Collections: How to recover revenue in a “No Wage Garnishment” State

For healthcare CFOs and Practice Managers in Pennsylvania, debt collection presents a unique challenge found almost nowhere else in the country.

Unlike most states, Pennsylvania generally prohibits wage garnishment for commercial debts, including medical bills. This means the standard “legal threat” used by lazy agencies—suing to garnish a patient’s paycheck—is completely toothless here.

If your current agency relies on threats of wage garnishment or credit reporting to get paid, they are selling you a strategy that is legally impossible and increasingly obsolete.

We have engineered a recovery model specifically for the Commonwealth’s restrictive landscape. We focus on diplomacy and asset execution, ensuring you get paid without relying on empty threats.


The Pennsylvania Challenge: Why Standard Agencies Fail

Operating in PA requires a higher level of skill because the “easy button” (garnishment) doesn’t exist.

  • The “Wage Protection” Wall: You cannot garnish a patient’s wages for medical debt in PA. Period. This creates a “judgment-proof” mindset among some debtors who know that even if you sue them, their paycheck is safe.

  • The Credit Reporting Ban: With the CFPB’s 2025 rules banning most medical debt from credit reports, the secondary tool of “wrecking their credit score” is also vanishing.

  • Act 6 Interest Caps: Under Pennsylvania’s “Act 6,” the legal interest rate is often capped at 6% for smaller debts unless you have a specific contract stating otherwise. Agencies who unknowingly demand higher interest are exposing you to liability.

Our solution is simple: Since we can’t force payment through wages, we use psychological negotiation and asset leverage to prioritize your bill.

Need a Medical Collection Agency? Contact us


Our “PA-Specific” Recovery System

We don’t treat a patient in Pittsburgh the same way we treat a debtor in Texas. Our 4-step model is calibrated for Pennsylvania law.

Phase 1: The “Flat-Fee” Nudge (Steps 1 & 2)

Because legal options are limited, voluntary payment is your gold standard. We maximize this early on.

  • The Strategy: We act as an extension of your billing office, sending courteous but firm “Audit Notices.”

  • The Cost: A low flat fee (approx. $15/account).

  • The Benefit: This clears out the 40% of patients who simply forgot or are procrastinating, without you paying a commission. You keep 100% of the dollars collected here.

Phase 2: Negotiated Resolution (Step 3)

  • The Strategy: This is where our training shines. Since we can’t threaten wage garnishment, our collectors are trained in “consultative collection.” We work with patients to find hidden liquidity—tax refunds, savings, or family assistance—to settle the debt.

  • The Cost: 40% contingency.

  • The Benefit: We find money where others only find excuses.

Phase 3: Asset Execution (Step 4)

  • The Strategy: When a patient has the means to pay but refuses, we escalate to litigation. While we can’t garnish wages, we can and do pursue bank account levies and property liens. A frozen bank account is often more motivating than a wage garnishment.

  • The Cost: 50% contingency.


Why PA Providers Switch to Us

1. We Don’t bluff. Debtors in PA know the law. If an agency threatens to “garnish their wages,” the debtor knows it’s a lie, and you lose all credibility. We use honest, actionable leverage that actually works.

2. We Navigate the “UPMC vs. Highmark” Confusion. Whether you are in the Allegheny Health Network (Pittsburgh) or the Penn Medicine ecosystem (Philadelphia), patients are often confused by complex EOBs. Our agents act as patient advocates, helping them understand what insurance didn’t cover so they feel comfortable paying the balance.

3. Local Statute Mastery. We strictly track the 4-year Statute of Limitations for medical debt in PA. We ensure you don’t throw good money after bad by chasing time-barred debts that could trigger a lawsuit against your practice.


Sector Spotlight: Who We Help

  • Independent Specialists: Orthopedics and Dental practices in the Philly suburbs who need to maintain high community standing.

  • Urgent Care Centers: From Erie to Harrisburg, handling high-volume, low-balance copays.

  • Ambulance & EMS: Recovering funds from auto-accident settlements where “Act 6” rules on medical costs often apply.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it true I really can’t garnish wages for medical bills in PA?

A: Yes, it is true. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that strictly prohibits wage garnishment for commercial debts like medical bills. We can only garnish for taxes, student loans, and support. This is why hiring a skilled negotiator is far better than hiring a “litigation mill.”

Q: Can you put a lien on their house?

A: Yes. If we obtain a judgment in court, it acts as a lien against real estate in that county. The debtor generally cannot refinance or sell their home without paying you off.

Q: What is the “Statute of Limitations” in Pennsylvania?

A: You generally have 4 years from the date of the last payment or missed payment to file a lawsuit. After that, the debt is “time-barred.” We automatically audit your files to ensure we are within this window.


Stop relying on empty threats. Start using a strategy that works in Pennsylvania.

Click here to Request a Quote & Audit

Filed Under: Debt Recovery

Medical Collections in Illinois Have Changed. Is Your Agency Ready?

For healthcare providers in Illinois—whether you are a large hospital system in Cook County or a private clinic in Peoria—the rules of the game have fundamentally shifted.

With the “Protect Illinoisans from Unfair Medical Debt” Act taking full effect and new credit reporting bans starting in 2025, the old “demand and threaten” model of collections is dead. If your current agency is still treating your patients like standard debtors, they aren’t just failing to collect—they are actively exposing you to lawsuits from the Attorney General’s office.

We offer a smarter, compliant path forward. We turn your accounts receivable into cash without turning your patients into enemies.

Need a Medical Collection Agency? Contact us


The New Illinois Reality: Why You Need a Specialist

Illinois is no longer a “standard” collection state. It is now one of the most highly regulated environments for medical debt in the country.

  • The “Screening” Trap: As of 2024, you cannot legally send a patient to collections until you have screened them for financial assistance eligibility. If your current agency isn’t verifying this data before they call, every dial is a potential violation.

  • The Credit Bureau Blackout: Starting January 1, 2025, medical debt under specific thresholds can no longer be reported to credit bureaus in Illinois. This removes the “leverage” most lazy agencies rely on.

  • The 5% Interest Cap: For consumer debt judgments under $25,000, the statutory interest rate is capped at 5% (not the standard 9%).

We don’t fight these laws; we build our strategy around them.


Our “Compliance-First” Recovery System

We have adapted our 4-step model specifically for the Illinois healthcare market. We treat compliance as a firewall that protects your revenue cycle.

Phase 1: The Eligibility Scrub (Pre-Collection)

Before we demand a penny, we help you ensure your files are “clean.” We verify that the mandatory financial assistance screening steps have been documented. This simple check prevents the 90-day legal delays that plague other agencies.

Phase 2: Patient Engagement (Step 1 & 2)

  • The Strategy: We use flat-fee diplomacy. We send official, clear notices that explain the debt without using aggressive legal jargon that triggers complaints.

  • The Cost: Flat fee (approx. $15/account).

  • The Benefit: This recovers funds from patients who forgot to pay or misunderstood their EOB, without you paying a commission. You keep 100% of these recoveries.

Phase 3: Specialized Recovery (Step 3)

  • The Strategy: For patients who ignore the notices, our medical debt specialists take over. We know how to negotiate payment plans that fit within Illinois’ strict “disposable earnings” garnishment limits.

  • The Cost: 40% contingency.

  • The Benefit: We only get paid if you get paid.

Phase 4: Legal Enforcement (Step 4)

  • The Strategy: When necessary, we utilize our network of Illinois attorneys to pursue judgments, respecting the new 5% interest caps for smaller debts.

  • The Cost: 50% contingency.


Why Illinois Practice Managers Choose Us

1. We Navigate the “Chicago vs. Downstate” Divide

Collecting in Naperville is different from collecting in Carbondale. We adjust our communication style based on the demographic, ensuring we connect effectively whether the patient is an urban professional or a rural family.

2. We Protect Your “Community Benefit” Status

For non-profit hospitals, aggressive collections can threaten your tax-exempt status. Our respectful approach safeguards your standing in the community while ensuring you have the revenue to keep operating.

3. Wage Garnishment Expertise

Illinois has some of the strictest wage protection laws in the US (protecting up to 45x the federal minimum wage of disposable earnings). We don’t waste your time pursuing garnishments against patients who are legally judgment-proof; we focus our energy where it yields results.


Regional Focus: Who We Serve

  • Chicagoland & Cook County: High-volume collection for urgent care chains and dental networks.

  • Central Illinois (Peoria/Bloomington): Specialists in working with patients of large regional health systems (like OSF or Carle counterparts) to recover copays and deductibles.

  • Rockford & Northern IL: assisting private practices in recovering revenue amidst a shifting manufacturing economy.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you still report medical debt to credit bureaus in Illinois?

A: It is becoming increasingly restricted. As of 2025, specific medical debts (often those under $500 or medically necessary debts) are barred from credit reports. We rely on communication and negotiation, not credit score threats, to get you paid.

Q: What is the Statute of Limitations for medical debt in Illinois?

A: Generally, 5 years for unwritten contracts (which covers most standard medical debt) and 10 years for written contracts. However, waiting years makes collection difficult. The “Golden Hour” for recovery is the first 90 days past due.

Q: Do you handle the “Financial Assistance Screening” for us?

A: We are not your billing department, but we act as a final “gatekeeper.” We will flag accounts that look like they haven’t been properly screened so you can fix them before a violation occurs.


Your revenue cycle shouldn’t be stuck in gridlock like the Kennedy Expressway.

Click here to Request a Quote & Audit

 

Illinois faces debt collection issues just like the rest of the country. Doctors provide medical treatment to patients without the confidence that they will be paid on time. Unfortunately, several accounts receivable must be turned over to medical debt collection agencies to minimize losses resulting from unpaid patient bills.

If you are a medical professional in Illinois who needs the help of a collection agency, you must ensure that the debt collectors adhere to Illinois state collection agency laws. We’ve also included vital statistics that can help you decide whether or not to move forward with a collection agency.

 

Here are some key medical debt statistics in Illinois:

  • Approximately 17% of Illinois residents have some form of medical debt.
  • Over 20% of Illinois households earning less than $35,000 annually struggle with unpaid medical bills.
  • Black and Hispanic communities are far more affected by medical debt, with rates nearly double those of white residents.
  • Medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy filings in the state, accounting for a significant portion of cases.
  • Cook County has one of the highest rates of medical debt in Illinois, with residents facing challenges in affording healthcare.
  • Hospital charity care programs in Illinois have seen an increase in applications, reflecting the growing burden of medical costs.
  • Illinois ranks 28th in the nation for the percentage of residents with medical debt in collections, indicating a moderate debt burden compared to other states.

Illinois is governed by both state laws and federal laws, primarily the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA protects consumers from abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices by debt collectors.

Illinois has additional laws that supplement the federal law. For example, the Illinois Collection Agency Act regulates the conduct of collection agencies in the state. The act requires collection agencies to obtain a license and sets standards for their behavior.

For written contracts, the statute of limitations is 10 years from the date of the last activity. 

Illinois Medical Debt Collection Agency Laws

In recent years, the U.S. has narrowly defined individual Statute of Limitations for each state. The limitations act as a guideline for Illinois medical debt collection agencies. It negates unprofessional and unwarranted behavior that patients have received from companies in the past. This type of behavior includes harassing, abusing, and using unfair practices in order to get a patient to pay their medical debts. HIPAA compliance is mandatory for collection agencies serving medical debts.

This conduct negatively affected the medical professionals who sold their debt to the collection agency. Thanks to the Illinois medical debt collection agency laws, these actions are no longer prevalent today.

The Illinois medical debt collection agency laws also enforce these two acts:

  • Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act: This act includes 100% discounts for uninsured patients at certain income levels
  • The Fair Patient Billing Act: This law ensures that hospitals provide their patients with multiple payment opportunities with requirements to effectively promote these avenues to their patients to negate the rise of medical debt.

 Illinois Medical Collection Agency Process

Professional collection agencies take a friendly, diplomatic and obligatory approach to settle debts with patients. We want the process to be as smooth as possible and take pride in ensuring the relationships between patients and doctors remain intact.

The debt collection process includes maintaining regular contact with the patient and ensuring they know their payment options. Keeping detailed records of their payments and offering additional services such as skip-tracing, bankruptcy screening, and checking for change of address.

Need a Medical Collection Agency in Illinois? Contact us

 

References:
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20170324/NEWS03/170329904/illinois-unpaid-medical-bills-reach-3-5-billion

www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/illinois_medical_debt_and_bill.html

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/debtcollection.html

https://www.team-iha.org/finance/charity-care-financial-assistance/hospital-uninsured-patient-discount-act

Filed Under: Debt Recovery

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