CFPB Announces Additional Efforts to Regulate Medical Debt Collection Practice.

The CFPB has announced new efforts to regulate medical debt collection practices, citing concerns about the impact of medical debt on consumers' finances, credit scores, and access to further medical care. The agency issued an advisory opinion outlining prohibited practices, such as collecting amounts not owed or misrepresenting legal obligations. Consumers are advised to request itemized bills, negotiate debts, file complaints with the CFPB, seek legal advice, and monitor proposed rules on medical debt reporting. Nonprofit hospitals are also under scrutiny for their financial assistance policies, with complaints raising questions about eligibility criteria and application processes. [Extracted from the article]