North Carolina medical debt collection is a high-stakes discipline. The Tar Heel State lets creditors sue for only three years, licenses every collection agency, and enforces the North Carolina Debt Collection Act (NCDCA) alongside the federal FDCPA. At the same time, state leaders have unveiled a Medical Debt Mitigation Program that pushes hospitals to screen patients ≤ 300 % FPL before selling or assigning debt. Partnering with Midwest Service Bureau (MSB) equips your revenue-cycle team with a process that liquidates balances fast, without triggering NCDCA penalties or damaging patient trust. Backed by 55 years of healthcare collections and analytics inside our Expert Analysis portal, we turn aging AR into predictable cash.
State-Specific Regulations
- Statute of limitations: Three years on medical and other open-account debts (N.C.G.S. § 1-52(1)).
- Agency licensing: All third-party agencies must hold a license and $10,000 surety bond through the Department of Insurance (Article 70, Chapter 58).
- Medical Debt Mitigation Program (2024): Hospitals capping interest and waiving sales of accounts owed by patients ≤ 300 % FPL to qualify for enhanced Medicaid payments.
- Time-bar disclosure: Collectors must advise patients when a balance is beyond the three-year suit window, per NCDCA case law.
HIPAA & Breach-Notification Requirements
MSB encrypts every byte of PHI, enforces role-based access, and mirrors North Carolina’s 30-day breach-notice window (N.C.G.S. § 75-65). Immutable audit logs reside in our HIPAA + FDCPA dashboard, ready for inspection.
North Carolina Debt Collection Act (NCDCA) & FDCPA
Articles 2 & 70 of Chapter 75 bar threats, misrepresentation, or abusive tactics and apply to all creditors, not just agencies. MSB’s collectors renew annual NCDCA training to ensure every North Carolina medical debt collection call is courteous, accurate, and fully documented.
Our Medical Debt Collection Process
Phase 1 – Account Review & Validation
We import receivables from Epic, Cerner, or Meditech Self-Pay Recovery, then scrub for duplicate claims, payer denials, charity-care eligibility, and time-barred balances—so only compliant North Carolina medical debt collection files advance.
Phase 2 – Patient Contact & Communication
First notices mail within 24 hours, paired with bilingual (English/Spanish) financial-assistance flyers. Voice, SMS, email, and portal outreach respect the 8 a.m.–9 p.m. window and NCDCA scripting rules. Patients can 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 NCDCA disclosure standards, closing the loop on fully compliant North Carolina 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 North Carolina Healthcare Providers
Improved Cash Flow
Clients using our North Carolina medical debt collection workflow cut AR days by 29 %, freeing capital for staffing and technology upgrades.
Compliance Assurance
HIPAA encryption, state licensing, and charity-care workflows shield you from Attorney-General scrutiny and negative press.
Patient Relationship Preservation
Empathy-first scripting, transparent billing, and flexible payment options keep Net Promoter Scores high, even during tough North Carolina medical debt collection conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for medical debt in North Carolina?
Three years from the date of the last payment or invoice. Collectors cannot sue after that window unless the consumer makes a new written promise or payment.
Can medical debt affect my credit score in North Carolina?
Yes, though CFPB has finalized a nationwide ban (effective date pending). MSB suppresses bureau reporting on request and updates policies as federal rules evolve.
How does medical debt collection differ from other debt?
North Carolina medical debt collection must follow HIPAA, NCDCA, agency licensing, 30-day breach notice, charity-care screening, and the three-year statute, stricter than typical 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 North Carolina providers daily.
Phone: 316-263-1051
Address: 625 W. Maple St., Wichita, KS 67213
