In late January, the Illinois Senate introduced Illinois SB 1223 which would amend the Fair Patient Billing Act and impact how medical creditors and debt collectors recover revenue from patients. Illinois SB 1223 is aimed at several issues related to medical debt collection and patient billing practices, mainly focusing on preventing what it calls “aggressive collection actions” while patients are appealing health insurance decisions.
If Illinois SB 1223 passed, it would specifically prohibit medical creditors and debt collectors from contacting patients over unpaid charges or initiating lawsuits or arbitration proceedings while an appeal is pending or was pending within the previous 180 days. Some of the key provisions for Illinois SB 1223 include protections during appeals, limits on interest and medical debt forgiveness.
Illinois SB 1223 has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Americollect will continue to track this bill and the implications it could have on medical debt collection.
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