Medical Bill Collection: Are Agencies Required to Accept Partial Payments?

In most cases, a collection agency is required to accept any payment offered for a medical bill, regardless of the amount. This is because the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from engaging in any unfair or deceptive practices in an attempt to collect a debt. This includes refusing to accept a payment that is offered.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, a collection agency may not be required to accept a payment if it is offered in the form of a check that is returned for insufficient funds. Additionally, a collection agency may not be required to accept a payment if it is offered with conditions that are not agreed to by the debtor.

If you are being contacted by a collection agency about a medical bill, you should be aware of your rights under the FDCPA. You can find more information about the FDCPA on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) website.