Medical debt collection and communication policy

Statement and Notification Process

Patients will receive an itemized statement detailing their medical debt regularly, usually every 30 days.

Each statement will include the outstanding balance, payment due dates, and instructions on how to make payments. In addition to paper statements, patients may receive text message reminders for payment or access their statement on our patient portal.

Patients with an outstanding balance may also receive reminders and printed statements upon request from Minnesota ENT staff during appointment scheduling or at appointments during check-in.

Reasonable Payment Plan Requirement

A reasonable payment plan will be offered to any patient who requests one. Patients are expected to utilize our automated payment system to manage their payment plans. A reasonable payment plan is defined as a monthly payment that does not exceed 5% of the median Minnesota household family income, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Based on that, these are reasonable guidelines:

Balance of $500: $250/month (2 months)
Balance of $1,000: $250/month (4 months)
Balance of $3,000: $250/month (12 months)

Timing of Collection Activities

Following 60 days after the balance becomes the patient’s responsibility, if the balance remains unpaid or no reasonable payment arrangements have been made (including missed payments), the practice will begin collection activities. These activities include continued paper statements, phone calls, and text messages to encourage payment or establish a reasonable payment arrangement.

Referral of Medical Debt to Collection Agency or Law Firm

Following 90 days from the date the balance becomes patient responsibility, if no reasonable payment plan has been established or maintained, or the patient has not made reasonable efforts to resolve the debt, the balance will be considered uncollectible and may be referred to a third-party collection agency or law firm.

Collection attempts are immediately discontinued upon resolution of the balance with either Minnesota ENT, or when applicable, a third-party collection agency or law firm.

Contact Information

Patients are encouraged to contact Minnesota ENT billing office at 763-233-5750 to discuss any questions or concerns about their medical debt or to request assistance with establishing a payment plan.

If patients want to ask the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office for help, their phone number is 800-657-3787. Patients have the right to hire their own attorney for representation.

Effective Date

This policy is effective as of 02/15/2025 and supersedes any prior versions.

This policy is posted on the website (www.MinnesotaENT.com) and available to patients upon request.