Indiana medical debt collection demands sharp revenue-cycle skills, strict statutory compliance, and genuine empathy for patients. The Hoosier State imposes a six-year statute of limitations on written and open-account debts, licenses every collection agency through the Secretary of State, and polices “unfair or deceptive” conduct under the Indiana Consumer Protection Act. Since 2021, House Bill 1004 has forced providers to issue a Good Faith Estimate before they can pursue balances, while surprise-billing arbitration and rising self-pay loads squeeze margins.
Partnering with Midwest Service Bureau (MSB) equips your team with a turnkey Indiana medical debt collection workflow that converts receivables into predictable revenue, without triggering state board sanctions or damaging patient trust. Backed by 55 years in healthcare collections and real-time analytics inside our Expert Analysis portal, we keep your cash flow—and reputation—healthy.
Indiana Medical Debt Collection Laws
State-Specific Regulations
| Key Rule | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute of limitations | 6 years on written contracts and open-account bills; partial payment or a new written promise restarts the clock | law.justia.comsmidlaw.com |
| Agency licensing & bond | Collection agencies must register via NMLS, hold a state license, and maintain a $10 000+ surety bond | securities.sos.in.govlaw.justia.com |
| Capped at 8 % simple interest unless the contract sets lower | Capped at 8 % simple interest unless the contract sets a lower | mdclarity.comkriegdevault.com |
| Charity-care screening | Non-profits typically grant free care ≤ 200 % FPL and discounts up to 300 % FPL; extraordinary collection actions wait 120 days | bakerinstitute.org |
| Post-judgment interest | Capped at 8 % simple interest unless the contract sets a lower | commercialforeclosureblog.typepad.com |
HIPAA & Breach-Notification
MSB encrypts all PHI in transit and at rest, enforces role-based access, and mirrors Indiana’s 45-day breach-notice deadline (IC 24-4.9-3-3). Immutable audit logs live in our HIPAA + FDCPA compliance hub.
Indiana Medical Debt Collection Consumer Protection & FDCPA
IC 24-5-0.5 outlaws “unfair, abusive, or deceptive” acts in any consumer transaction. Courts routinely treat FDCPA breaches as per-se IC 24-5 violations, multiplying liability. MSB collectors complete annual Indiana/TCPA refreshers, ensuring every Indiana medical debt collection call is courteous, accurate, and fully documented.
Our Indiana Medical Debt Collection Process
| Phase | What We Do | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Account Review & Validation | Import AR from Epic, Cerner, or Meditech Self-Pay Recovery; scrub for payer denials, duplicate claims, charity-care eligibility, HB 1004 GFE compliance, and time-barred balances | Only clean, compliant Indiana files advance |
| 2 — Patient Contact & Communication | First notices mail within 24 hours with bilingual charity-care flyers. Voice, SMS, email, and portal outreach respect Indiana’s 8 a.m.–9 p.m. window and IC 24-5 scripting. Patients self-serve through our Early-Out Patient Collections portal—setting up zero-interest plans in minutes | Higher right-party contacts, lower complaint risk |
| 3 — Resolution & Payment Processing | Settlements, HSA draws, and payment-plan drafts post instantly to your PMS; APIs feed live dashboards. All receipts reflect Indiana’s 8 % post-judgment rate and IC 24-5 disclosures | Faster cash, audit-ready documentation |
Types of Medical Debt We Collect
Hospital & Health-System Balances
- Emergency-department visits
- Inpatient & outpatient surgeries
- Diagnostic imaging & lab services
- Surgical implants & supplies
Physician-Practice Debt
- Primary-care appointments
- Specialist consults & procedures
- Ancillary lab/imaging
Specialty Healthcare Debt
- Dental debt collection
- Vision & hearing care
- Mental-health therapy
- Home-health & physical-therapy balances
Benefits for Indiana Healthcare Providers
- Improved Cash Flow – Clients using our Indiana medical debt collection workflow cut AR days by 30 %, liberating capital for staffing and tech upgrades.
- Compliance Assurance – HIPAA encryption, state licensing, 8 % interest-cap workflows, and GFE holds keep you clear of AG scrutiny.
- Patient Relationship Preservation – Empathy-first scripting, transparent billing, and flexible payment options keep Net Promoter Scores high, even during tough conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for medical debt in Indiana?
Six years from the last invoice or payment; a new payment or written promise restarts the clock.
Can medical debt affect my credit score in Indiana?
Yes—medical tradelines may still appear. MSB suppresses bureau reporting on request and will adjust when federal rules change.
How does medical debt collection differ from other debt?
Indiana medical debt collection must observe HIPAA, state licensing, IC 24-5 consumer-protection rules, HB 1004 GFE requirements, charity-care screening, and the six-year statute, tougher than standard consumer debt.
What should I do if I receive a medical debt collection notice?
Review the Good Faith Estimate and itemized bill, compare charges with your Explanation of Benefits, and contact MSB within 30 days to dispute or arrange a plan.
Contact Us
Ready to boost your revenue cycle? Reach our nationwide MSB headquarters, serving Indiana providers daily.
Phone: 316-263-1051
Address: 625 W. Maple St., Wichita, KS 67213
