Question

Identify the laws that regulate collections from patients. 

Answer 1

ANSWER - patient collections are consumer collections and are regulated by federal and state laws.

• collection from insurance carriers are considered business collections.
• The fair debt collection practices act of 1977 and the telephone consumer protection act of 1991 regulate debt collections , forbidding unfair practices.
• General guidelines forbidding unfair practices include the following;

1. no calls before 8 A.M. or after 9 P.M.
2. No threats or profane language
3. respect for patient privacy
4. no deception or violence

• A payment plan is an agreement between a patient and a practice in which the patient agrees to make regular monthly payments over a specific period of time