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Collections Law/When customer is unaware of collections status

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Expert: - 8/20/2010


Question
I recently called a plastic surgeon to get information on a new product, when I was shocked to find out that I was going to be sent to a collections agency because I owed $75 from a cacelled appointment six months earlier. Their word against mine that I know I called to cancell the appointment several days before the scheduled appointment. But my concern is this,that anyone,a doctor's office in this case, can send you to a collection's agency, without one even being aware of what's going on?.
Please help me understand, do I have any rights?
Sincerely.

Answer
They can turn you over to collections without any notice.  It is not the normal procedure, but they can do it.  Since it is a small amount, the best thing to do is pay it and find another doctor or ask the office manager if they are willing to lose a patient over $75.

Collections Law

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Volunteer

Ray A Miller

Expertise

I am qualified to answer questions on the following subjects: FDCPA, FCRA and HIPAA as well as medical collections, general collections and collection agency related issues. I trained these subjects at a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center and audited around 150 representatives for compliance to the laws. I have been in the Collections Industry for over 30 years. I feel that everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with compassion and that is the way I trained collectors. Even though I worked for a Collection Agency, I get great satisfaction in helping those who have been mistreated or in need of help with these confusing issues.

Experience

I was the Compliance Administrator with a nationwide collection agency and customer service call center-I have trained hundreds of collectors on the above referenced topics. I have been in the medical collections industry for over twenty years and research these topics on a daily basis.

Organizations
ACA International

Education/Credentials
Some college ACA Certified Collection Specialist

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