Just because it’s not on a report doesn’t mean providers have no recourse when it comes to seeking compensation.
No, but most of the time it’s simply not worth it for hospitals to fight. Either they’d spend more time and money on lawyers, arbitration, etc. than they’d be able to collect if they win, or the patient is poor and all but judgement-proof.
If they so choose they can take anyone to court and obtain a legal judgement. The frequent calls and letters from collectors are no picnic either.
If I recall reading the updated proposal from the CFPB correctly, it’s supposed to be putting a stop to the debt collectors too. The only recourse left, if I’m reading everything correctly, would be for the hospitals to sue patients directly, and that would probably only be for bills high enough to make seeking legal action worth it and if they feel the patient has the resources to pay. The latter is the most important part – whether the bill is for $100 or eleventy billion dollars won’t matter if the patient is, for example, and elderly woman on disability with no possible way to repay anything.
No, but most of the time it’s simply not worth it for hospitals to fight. Either they’d spend more time and money on lawyers, arbitration, etc. than they’d be able to collect if they win, or the patient is poor and all but judgement-proof.
If I recall reading the updated proposal from the CFPB correctly, it’s supposed to be putting a stop to the debt collectors too. The only recourse left, if I’m reading everything correctly, would be for the hospitals to sue patients directly, and that would probably only be for bills high enough to make seeking legal action worth it and if they feel the patient has the resources to pay. The latter is the most important part – whether the bill is for $100 or eleventy billion dollars won’t matter if the patient is, for example, and elderly woman on disability with no possible way to repay anything.