The state of Illinois faces debt collection issues just like the rest of the country. Medical professionals and patients are at constant ends trying to provide and receive medical treatment without having to deal with the monetary stakes upfront. But without careful attention to finances and accounts receivable, many people will have to turn to Illinois medical debt collection agencies to resolve subsequent issues.
If you are a professional in Illinois who needs the help of a collection agency, you must ensure that they adhere to Illinois state collection agency laws. We’ve also included vital statistics that can help you make the decision as to whether or not to move forward with a collection agency.
Illinois Medical and Health Care Debt Collection Statistics
Illinois state has over $12 billion in civilian debt according to a 2017 report. Medical bills for its employees account for approximately $3.5 million. And those are just the numbers for state employees. Adding to that mountain of backlog is a collective $174 million owed by state employees to dentists.
The Illinois state medical plan that offers coverage to its employees is the culprit behind these unpaid debts. It has resulted in the complicated and difficult decision to turn away state employees whose medical care does not cover necessary medical devices.
These situations lead to doctors losing their patients, sometimes it even results in the patients need to claim bankruptcy. Both of these situations are can be avoided with the assistance of a collection agency that knows how to properly delegate medical debt emergencies.
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 in today’s society.
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 are providing 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 an amicable, diplomatic and obligatory approach to settle debts with patients. We want the process to be as smooth as simple as possible, and we take pride in ensuring the relationships between patients and doctors remain intact.
The process of debt collection includes maintaining regular contact with the patient and making sure they are aware of their payment options. Keeping detailed records of their payments and offer additional services such as skip-tracing, bankruptcy screening, and keep out for idle communications such as change of address.
Need a Medical Collection Agency in Illinois? Contact us
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/illinois_medical_debt_and_bill.html
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/debtcollection.html