Federal agency ยท Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: medical bills in collections and on credit reports
Federal consumer-bureau explanation of debt collection and credit reporting rules when a medical bill goes to collections, including surprise bills, with how to dispute and where to complain.
Know before you go
The page explains that two federal laws, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, may protect you, and says to dispute a debt in writing as soon as possible if a collector seeks more than the No Surprises Act allows. It is information, not legal advice, and it does not stop a collector by itself. You can complain to the bureau online or by phone.
- Cost
- Not stated. The page lists no fee to complain.
- Where
- Nationwide
- How to start
- Send the collector a written dispute, keep a copy, and check your credit reports for the debt. File a complaint with the bureau if the collector or credit reporting company does not respond properly.
- Phone
- (855) 411-2372, as printed on the provider's page
- Have ready
- The collection letter; Your bill and explanation of benefits; Your credit report
Where this comes from
- Provider
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Source we read
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-know-about-debt-collection-and-credit-reporting-if-my-medical-bill-was-sent-to-collections-en-2122/
- Date we read it
- . This is not a fresh check.
- Date the provider printed
- Not displayed
- What we checked
- We read the provider's public page. We have not verified availability, eligibility or outcomes for any individual.
Other starting points
- Program or service
1-800-MEDICARE: talk to a person about Medicare
The Medicare phone line and live chat, open all day every day. Staff can point you to the right step for a complaint, and can pass an unresolved complaint to the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman.
From Medicare (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
- Program or service
American Cancer Society 24-hour helpline
A phone and chat line staffed around the clock by cancer information specialists who answer questions and connect you to services. It is an information and referral line, not an appeals service.
From American Cancer Society
- Program or service
An Arm and a Leg: First Aid Kit
An archive of articles and starter packs from the podcast An Arm and a Leg, including a starter pack on what to do if you are in collections for medical debt. General reporting on health care costs, not appeal steps.
From An Arm and a Leg