Many EMS agencies utilize a third party collection agency to collect bad debt accounts.  As you know, the collection agencies must abide by regulations such as the Fair Debt Collection Act (FDCA) and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
The TCPA prohibits the use of automatic dialing systems and artificial or prerecorded voices to cellular telephone numbers unless the agency has received prior expressed consent from the party.
Our collection agency partners have asked EMSMC to remind our clients of this requirement and have provided suggested language to be added to the patient signature form:
You agree, in order for us to service our account or to collect any amounts you may owe, we may contact you by telephone at any telephone number associated with your account, including wireless telephone numbers, which could result in charges to you. We may also contact you by sending text messages or e-mails, using any e-mail address you provide to us. Methods of contact may include using pre-recorded/artificial voice messages and/or use of an automatic dialing device, as applicable.
This language may be added to the existing patient signature language in the ePCR system or the patient signature form.
This addition would assist the collection agency in pursuing the bad debt accounts more efficiently.
If you have questions regarding these regulations, please feel free to contact your collection agency or EMSMC.
