Professional Debt Collection Agency In Maryland
Debt recovery is uniquely challenging: the state caps lawsuits at three years, limits home liens and wage garnishments for many low-income patients, and requires hospitals to offer zero-interest payment plans before pursuing extraordinary actions. The 2021 Medical Debt Protection Act and a rigorous licensing regime under the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Board make compliance critical. Midwest Service Bureau (MSB) applies a purpose-built workflow that converts aged receivables into predictable revenue while preserving patient trust and avoiding Attorney-General scrutiny. With 55 years of healthcare collections experience and real-time analytics via our Expert Analysis portal, we keep your revenue cycle and reputation healthy.
| Key Rule | Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Statute of limitations | 3 years for written & open-account debts (Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101) | • No lawsuits/liens/wage garnishments if patient ≤ 200 % FPL • Zero-interest payment plans, min 36 months • Credit-bureau reporting barred for 180 days |
| Medical Debt Protection Act (HB 565 / SB 514, 2021) | Defines the suit window for medical bill collection | Directly limits collection tools |
| Surprise Billing (HB 1420 / SB 894, 2020) | Disputed out-of-network balances stay out of collections until arbitration ends | Prevents premature healthcare debt recovery |
| Judgment interest | Shield consumers’ homes | Caps post-judgment recovery |
| Homestead protection | Hospitals barred from placing liens on a patient’s primary residence (HB 565) | Shield consumers’ homes |
MSB encrypts all PHI in transit and at rest, enforces role-based access, and mirrors Maryland’s 45-day breach-notification requirement (Md. Comm. Law § 14-3504) in every Business Associate Agreement. Immutable audit logs are maintained in our HIPAA + FDCPA hub.
The Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act (Md. Bus. Reg. § 7-101 et seq.) requires annual licensing and a $5,000–$15,000 surety bond. The Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act (MCDCA) and the Consumer Protection Act make any FDCPA breach an unfair practice. MSB renews licenses annually, maintains bonding, and trains collectors yearly, ensuring every collection interaction is lawful and respectful.
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Three years from the last invoice or payment; a new payment or written promise restarts the clock.
Absolutely. You can dispute the debt in writing, and the collector must provide verification, including billing breakdowns and patient responsibility details. No further collection can continue until validation is completed.
No—only billing-related data is shared, not private medical history. All handling of patient information must comply with HIPAA and Maryland privacy laws.
Start by reviewing the notice for accuracy. If anything seems unclear, request written debt validation. If the bill is correct, reach out promptly to discuss payment options or settlement arrangements.
Phone: 316-263-1051
Address: 625 W. Maple St., Wichita, KS 67213
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Maryland medical debt collection is uniquely challenging: the state caps lawsuits at three years, bans home liens and wage garnishments for many low-income patients, and forces hospitals to offer zero-interest payment plans before any “extraordinary” action. Add the 2021 Medical Debt Protection Act and a tough licensing regime under the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Board, and one compliance slip can cost thousands. Midwest Service Bureau (MSB) meets that challenge with a purpose-built Maryland medical debt collection workflow that converts aged receivables into predictable revenue, without harming patient relationships or triggering Attorney-General scrutiny. Backed by 55 years in healthcare collections and real-time analytics in our Expert Analysis portal, we keep your revenue cycle and reputation healthy.
| Key Rule | Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Statute of limitations | 3 years for written & open-account debts (Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101) | • No lawsuits/liens/wage garnishments if patient ≤ 200 % FPL • Zero-interest payment plans, min 36 months • Credit-bureau reporting barred for 180 days |
| Medical Debt Protection Act (HB 565 / SB 514, 2021) | Defines the suit window for Maryland medical debt collection | Directly limits collection tools |
| Surprise Billing (HB 1420 / SB 894, 2020) | Disputed out-of-network balances stay out of collections until arbitration ends | Prevents premature Maryland medical debt collection |
| Judgment interest | Shield consumers’ homes | Caps post-judgment recovery |
| Homestead protection | Hospitals barred from placing liens on a patient’s primary residence (HB 565) | Shield consumers’ homes |
MSB encrypts all PHI in transit and at rest, enforces role-based access, and mirrors Maryland’s 45-day breach-notice deadline (Md. Comm. Law § 14-3504) in every Business Associate Agreement. Immutable audit logs live in our HIPAA + FDCPA hub.
The Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act (Md. Bus. Reg. § 7-101 et seq.) requires annual licensing and a $5 000 – $15 000 surety bond. The Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act (MCDCA) and the Consumer Protection Act make any FDCPA breach an unfair practice. MSB renews its license every July, maintains bonding, and trains collectors yearly, so every Maryland medical debt collection call is respectful and lawful.
Credit-reporting note: Maryland has no blanket ban on medical tradelines, but the 180-day hold in HB 565 applies. MSB suppresses reporting on request and will adjust when the CFPB’s nationwide prohibition takes effect.
| Phase | Actions | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Account Review & Validation | Mail first notice within 24 h with bilingual charity-care insert. Voice/SMS/email/portal outreach respects an 8 a.m.–9 p.m. window & MCDCA scripting. Patients self-serve through our Early-Out Patient Collections portal—creating zero-interest plans in minutes | Only clean, compliant Maryland medical debt collection files advance |
| 2. Patient Contact & Communication | Mail first notice within 24 h with bilingual charity-care insert. Voice/SMS/email/portal outreach respects an 8 a.m.–9 p.m. window & MCDCA scripting. Patients self-serve through our Early-Out Patient Collections portal—creating zero-interest plans in minutes | Higher right-party contacts, lower complaint risk |
| 3. Resolution & Payment Processing | Post settlements, HSA draws, payment-plan drafts instantly; APIs feed live dashboards. All receipts reflect 6 % statutory interest & HB 565 disclosures | Faster cash, audit-ready documentation |
Ready to strengthen your revenue cycle? Call our specialists today.
Phone: 316-263-1051
Address: 625 W. Maple St., Wichita, KS 67213