Good Morning!
I hope this newsletter finds you doing well. This week, I’ll focus on the recent announcement by TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax on reporting medical debt on consumers’ credit reports.
Beginning July 1, 2022, medical debt that was paid after it was sent to collections will no longer be reported. In addition, unpaid medical debt will not appear on consumers’ credit reports for a year. Previously, this was six months.
The three major credit bureaus also announced that beginning in 2023, they will only report medical debt if it is at least $500. The bureaus are estimating that these changes will result in the removal of approximately 70 percent of the medical debt entries on consumers’ credit reports.
If you are wondering whether you currently have medical debt on your credit report, you can pull your free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com. You are entitled to a free report from each bureau, so make sure to pull all three while you’re there.
Starting in July, if you find medical debt on your credit report that was paid after it was sent to collection, make sure to dispute the credit entry in writing with the credit bureau and send a copy of your dispute to the creditor. CLICK HERE for specific guidance and forms for disputing improper entries on your credit report.
This welcomed change should benefit many consumers all across the country and I wanted to take this opportunity to make each of you were away of these positive changes.
I hope this information has been helpful! Have a great Sunday!
Until next time,
Ryan C. Torrens, Esq.
Consumer Advocate
