Massachusetts medical debt collection is a high-wire act: the Bay State caps collection contacts, shortens call windows, and forces hospitals to screen patients for Health Safety Net/charity care before any “extraordinary” action. One slip can trigger penalties under the Attorney General’s 940 CMR 7.00 regulations or the Consumer Protection Act (M.G.L. chap. 93A). By partnering with Midwest Service Bureau (MSB), you secure a Massachusetts medical debt collection workflow that recovers revenue without harming patient trust. With 55 years of healthcare focus and analytics inside our Expert Analysis portal, we turn aging AR into predictable cash, compliantly.
Massachusetts Medical Debt Collection Laws
State-Specific Regulations
- Statute of limitations: Six years on written contracts and four years on open accounts or sales of goods (M.G.L. c. 260 §§ 2, 2A). Partial payment or a signed promise restarts the clock.
- 940 CMR 7.00—Debt Collection Regulations:
- No more than 2 phone attempts in any 7-day period per consumer.
- Calls are allowed only from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. local time.
- Mandatory written validation within five days of first contact.
- Surprise-Billing Law (Acts of 2021, c. 260): Out-of-network balances under dispute remain on hold until payer–provider arbitration concludes.
- Health Safety Net/Charity Care: Acute-care hospitals must screen uninsured patients ≤ 300 % FPL for free or reduced-cost care and wait 120 days post-bill before extraordinary Massachusetts medical debt collection.
HIPAA & Breach-Notification Requirements
MSB encrypts all PHI in transit and at rest, applies role-based access, and mirrors Massachusetts’ “without unreasonable delay” breach-notice standard (M.G.L. c. 93H). Immutable logs live inside our HIPAA + FDCPA compliance hub for instant audits.
Licensing & Consumer Protection
Debt-collection agencies must hold a Division of Banks license and a $25 000 surety bond (209 CMR 18.00). The state’s Consumer Protection Act (c. 93A) deems any 940 CMR 7.00 violation an unfair practice. MSB renews its license annually, maintains bonding, and trains every collector on 940 CMR 7 call-caps—so every Massachusetts medical debt collection call is respectful and lawful.
Credit-reporting note: Massachusetts has not issued a medical-tradeline ban, but MSB will suppress bureau reporting on request and is tracking the CFPB’s proposed 2025 nationwide prohibition.
Our Massachusetts Medical Debt Collection Process
Phase 1 – Account Review & Validation
We ingest receivables from Epic, Cerner, or Meditech Self-Pay Recovery, then scrub for payer denials, duplicate claims, surprise-billing holds, charity-care eligibility, and time-barred balances—ensuring only compliant Massachusetts medical debt collection files move forward.
Phase 2 – Patient Contact & Communication
First notices mail within 24 hours and include bilingual charity-care flyers. Voice, SMS, email, and portal touches respect the 8 a.m.–8 p.m. window and never exceed two attempts per week. Patients self-serve through our Early-Out Patient Collections portal, setting up zero-interest plans in minutes.
Phase 3 – Resolution & Payment Processing
Settlements, HSA draws, and payment-plan drafts post instantly to your PMS; real-time APIs feed finance dashboards. All receipts satisfy 940 CMR 7 disclosure rules, closing the loop on fully compliant Massachusetts medical debt collection.
Types of Medical Debt We Collect
Hospital & Health-System Debt
- Emergency-department visits
- Inpatient & outpatient surgeries
- Diagnostic imaging & lab services
- Surgical implants & supplies
Physician-Practice Collections
- Primary-care appointments
- Specialist consults & office procedures
- Ancillary lab/imaging referrals
Specialty Healthcare Debt
- Dental debt collection
- Vision & hearing care
- Mental-health therapy
- Home-health & physical-therapy balances
Benefits for Massachusetts Healthcare Providers
Improved Cash Flow
Clients using our Massachusetts medical debt collection program cut AR days by 30 %, freeing capital for staffing and technology upgrades.
Compliance Assurance
HIPAA encryption, state-licensed agents, call-caps, and charity-care workflows shield you from AG scrutiny and negative press.
Patient Relationship Preservation
Empathy-first scripting, transparent billing, and flexible payment options keep Net Promoter Scores high, even during tough Massachusetts medical debt collection conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for medical debt in Massachusetts?
Six years for written contracts (four for open accounts). A partial payment or a new written promise restarts the six-year clock.
Can medical debt affect my credit score in Massachusetts?
Yes—medical tradelines may still appear. MSB can suppress reporting on request and will adjust when federal rules change.
How does medical debt collection differ from other debt?
Massachusetts medical debt collection must observe HIPAA, Division of Banks licensing, 940 CMR 7 call caps, surprise-billing holds, 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 itemized bill, compare charges to your Explanation of Benefits, and contact MSB within 30 days to dispute or arrange a payment plan.
Contact Us
Ready to boost your revenue cycle? Reach our nationwide MSB headquarters, serving Massachusetts providers daily.
Phone: 316-263-1051
Address: 625 W. Maple St., Wichita, KS 67213
