Medical practice collections
Collection agencies for medical and dental practices.
This page is for healthcare providers, not patients. We help practices, clinics, labs and dental offices find collection partners experienced with patient balances and the compliance rules that come with them.
Are you a patient with a medical bill in collections? We can't help with individual bills. The CFPB has guidance on your rights, and your provider's billing office can explain charges and financial-assistance options.
Why patient balances need a specialist
Patient accounts are consumer debts, so collectors must follow the FDCPA and Regulation F, plus state collection laws. They also involve protected health information, which brings in HIPAA (usually through a business associate agreement), and credit-reporting practices for medical debt that have changed in recent years. A specialist agency should be able to explain how it handles each of these.
What to look for in a medical collection agency
- A signed HIPAA business associate agreement and documented data-security practices
- A patient-friendly tone: early-out or pre-collection programs, payment plans and clear dispute handling
- A clear, current policy on whether and when medical debts are credit reported
- Integration or easy file exchange with your practice-management or billing system
- Knowledge of No Surprises Act, financial-assistance and nonprofit-hospital considerations where relevant
- Transparent contingency pricing and regular reporting
Before placing patient accounts
- Confirm insurance has been billed and adjudicated, and the patient balance is correct
- Send statements and a final notice per your financial policy
- Check any charity-care or financial-assistance obligations
- Document disputes and resolve billing errors first
Our medical debt placement guide covers the process in more depth.
Not legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws vary by state and change over time. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency. Consult a licensed attorney about your situation.
How it works
Three steps to placement
One short form replaces calling a dozen agencies.
Tell us about the debt
Debt type, total balance, age, number of accounts and location. Takes about two minutes.
We match you
We review your file and introduce you to agencies or collection attorneys that handle your debt type, size and jurisdiction.
You choose and place
Compare terms (contingency rates, fees, reporting) directly with the partner and place only if it's a fit. No obligation.
Trust & compliance
How we approach compliance
FDCPA-aware
Consumer and medical accounts are only referred to partners that represent they comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Regulation F and applicable state law.
Vetted partners
We check licensing/bonding where required, attorney bar status, and complaint history before adding a partner to our network.
No pressure, no obligation
Matching is free for creditors. You negotiate terms directly and decide whether to place.
Your data, handled carefully
We only share your file with the partners we introduce you to.
Frequently asked questions
Can a medical practice send patient balances to collections?
Generally yes, provided the practice follows its financial policy and applicable law, and the agency complies with the FDCPA, Regulation F, HIPAA and state rules.
Do we need a business associate agreement with a collection agency?
A collection agency that receives protected health information generally acts as a business associate under HIPAA, so a BAA is typically expected. Confirm with your compliance counsel.
Are medical debts reported to credit bureaus?
Medical-debt credit reporting rules and bureau policies have changed in recent years and continue to evolve. Ask any agency for its current policy and confirm it matches current law.
What is an early-out program?
An early-out program has an outside firm handle patient balances, often under the practice's name, before they become bad debt. It is a gentler first step than traditional collections.
I'm a patient. Can you help with my bill?
No. We only work with healthcare providers and other creditors. CFPB resources are a good starting point for patients.
Free, no obligation
Get matched with a collection partner
Tell us about your receivables. We'll review and introduce you to vetted agencies or collection attorneys suited to your debt type, size and state.