Be Wise To Medical Debt Collection Tactics
HOSPITAL BILLING NOT CHANGING CONTROVERSIAL TACTICS
Several prominent healthcare providers and investors have been featured in recent, damaging national news stories about patient billing and collection tactics.
After a VOX story, Zuckerburg Hospital vows to change tactics, but have they?
In recent months, U.S. news media have been paying closer-than-usual attention to the ways hospitals bill and collect from patients. The issues range from surprise bills to overzealous collection methods that have gone so far as to seize paychecks and tax refunds – even claim homes. This scrutiny has fueled mounting public anger, prompting U.S. lawmakers to launch an investigation into provider billing practices. The focus of this anger has also expanded to include the private equity owners of some U.S. healthcare companies.
One of the many complaints consumers have with hospitals are that they’re confused, frustrated and angry about their healthcare bills. “It was one stay in one bed for one thing. Why did I get eleven bills?” a particular patient mused.
The collections have gotten so numerous that a courthouse in Virginia has set up what some consumers call “The Hospital Court.” On June 14th, only a handful of the 300 people summoned to court show up. Most of the lawsuits were filed by the hospital, along with some others from medical companies affiliated with Mary Washington Healthcare in Virginia.
The hundreds that did not come have default judgments made against them, meaning their wages can be garnished.
Enter The Consumer Debt Advocates
The advocates are politely asking hospitals like Mary Washington to end the practice of suing over unpaid bills. Jack Makary (consumer advocate) has chatted with doctors in the hospital cafeteria, imploring them to tell their administrators to stop. “We’ve told the hospital that we will plan to be there on every single court date until the hospital decides to stop suing low-income patients for bills that they simply can’t afford,” Makary says.
How to Negotiate Medical Bills in Collections
We help you to void wage garnishment and court fees. We at Ascension Credit Services specialize in helping the client negotiate with unpaid medical bills. Some methods are to consolidate payments, agree to reduced or monthly payment plans, or pushing back against the medical collection with validation of debt letter. For more info, contact us at 214 810 2733.
