The CFPB says debt collection or credit reporting on medical bills that exceed the amounts permitted by the No Surprises Act, in effect since January 1, 2022 for many surprise medical bills, may violate federal law. Collection agencies and law firms collecting debts can be debt collectors under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which prohibits false, deceptive or misleading statements about the character, amount or legal status of a debt. A collector cannot misrepresent that you must pay a charge exceeding what the Act permits.
If you believe a collector is trying to collect more than the No Surprises Act allows, the CFPB says to dispute in writing as soon as possible, which protects your FDCPA rights and puts the collector on notice. The Fair Credit Reporting Act also sets accuracy requirements for credit bureaus and the collectors that report to them.
Help: submit a CFPB complaint at (855) 411-2372 if a collector contacts you about a surprise medical bill or such charges appear as negative items on your credit report; call the CMS No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, seven days a week; speak with a lawyer or free legal services; servicemembers can use legal assistance offices; and file with your state attorney general, since states may add protections.