Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Missouri

Re: HealthCare Collections

There is no statute or common law rule that governs when a person can ask a collection agent to pursue a bill. Doing so doesn't violate any law, regulation, or code of ethics.

Normally doctors wait 30 to 90 days before sending you into collections, and some wait longer than that. But the bottom line is that nothing compels that wait.

You can still deal directly with the doctor by sending the doctor payment. That's what I would do. If the collector is abusive or mean, invoke your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. See www.ftc.gov for more details.

Good luck,