HCI Healthcare Collections , LLC (HCI) is a third-party collection agency based in Arizona that specializes in healthcare collections. HCI has received consumer complaints alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) such as attempting to collect debts not owed. If you have been contacted by HCI, make sure you understand your rights before responding.
The harassing company pays our fees.
They’re legit. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), HCI Healthcare Collections, LLC was is a legitimate collection agency incorporated in 2003; however, the BBB indicates HCI’s profile page was established in 1995. HCI is listed as a collection agency that uses the alternate business names, Healthcare Collections-I, LLC and Healthcare Receivables Management.
According to its website, HCI Healthcare Collections “is one of the largest healthcare recovery agencies in the Southwest and is poised to become one of the largest in the country.” HCI utilizes “an extensive employee training program, strategic planning, client consultation, goal setting, analysis, implementation, and problem solving” in an effort to maintain patient relationships and achieve better recovery results.
HCI’s collections division offers “experienced healthcare recovery agents, fully trained on FDCPA and HIPAA; bilingual recovery agents; competitive fees; customized reporting; electronic file placements and payment; leading-edge technology; and the ability to accept second placements.” In addition, HCI offers consulting services, extended business office services, and insurance claims management.
HCI’s website cites extensive regulatory compliance policies. HCI is certified by the Professional Practices Management System (PPMS), which is designed to ensure “policies, procedures, and work processes that ensure regulatory compliance and adherence to industry best practices.” In addition, HCI employees are “trained and certified on their knowledge of the FDCPA, FCRA, TCPA, HIPAA and the emerging CFPB rules.”
HCI Healthcare Collections stresses its belief that “every person has worth as an individual… and that every person should be treated with dignity and respect,” and requires its employees to “be professional and ethical and commit to honoring this pledge.” However, their website does not contain any links or references to consumer protection resources, laws, or enforcement agencies.
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of collection harassment and abuse. We are ranked A+ by the BBB. We’ve helped more than 15,000 consumers stop harassment and recover money from debt collectors. Harassed? Abused? Misled by a collector? Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
The BBB has closed 26 complaints against HCI Healthcare Collections in the past three years, with 12 closed in the past 12 months. Almost all of those complaints allege problems with billing and collections. Since July 2017, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received 1 complaint about HCI. Justia lists at least 6 cases of civil litigation involving HCI.
HCI Healthcare Collections, LLC
2224 W. Northern Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Telephone: (800) 219-3101
Website: https://www.healthcareinc.com/
It is illegal for a debt collector to make empty threats to sue you or garnish your wages. It is also unlikely HCI would sue you for a debt you may not owe or they cannot validate. However, debt collection agencies are known to have summoned debtors to court and garnish wages after a default judgement. Contacting an attorney BEFORE this could possibly happen would be a smart move. We’ve helped thousands of consumers fight back against unscrupulous debt collection harassers. Find out if we can help you too today!
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Unlawful Debt Harassment? Learn the Law & Sue the Collector.
Absolutely. Here are some Sample Cases
Complaints against HCI Healthcare Collections commonly allege problems resulting from inaccurate reports of credit information to the credit reporting agencies. In January 2016, a complainant indicated that HCI incorrectly reported a delinquency. The complainant indicated that she first discovered the collection item when reviewing her credit report and contacted them to find out why she had not been notified earlier. She indicated that the agent said he could “only verify a name, and social security number.” The complainant objected, indicating her belief that collection agencies have to make an effort to contact the consumer before reporting the delinquency, then “pleaded with them to delete it.” Allegedly, she “tried to negotiate the debt amount” but after they “refused…she finally broke down and agreed to pay them.” She concluded by indicating that although HCI was “quick to put this on her credit report,” they have been slow to update the status of the items after payment. In response, HCI indicated that they received the complainant’s settlement requests but were unable to accept her terms “per their client’s guidelines.” They also indicated “that once the accounts are paid in full they will report them as ‘Paid’ to all three credit bureaus…. but they will not be returning these accounts to the original creditor nor will we delete them from your credit.”
In May 2017, a complainant indicated he had been notified by HCI Healthcare Collections of a delinquent bill from a healthcare provider. The complainant indicated that her insurance should have covered the costs, but that she had not heard back from them after contacting them about payment. Neither had she received additional notification from HCI prior to their reporting the item to the credit reporting agencies. The complainant discovered the delinquency while applying for a home mortgage loan, and she contacted HCI to ask whether they would delete the item if she paid the balance in full. After asking to speak to a supervisor, she was allegedly “transferred around 2-3 times to other representatives who had a nonchalant attitude and were very combative…and was then transferred to a supervisor who told her he couldn’t help…even after she explained…the circumstances… The supervisor stated her account wasn’t eligible for deletion and then hung up.” In response, HCI indicated that the complainant had “stated there was an insurance issue but…as of 5/12/2017 this account is still an open collection account,” concluding that, “once the account is paid, as required HCI will report… this account as a paid collections account.”
Federal laws protect you. The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) regulates the behavior of collection agencies by prohibiting actions such as the use of abusive or threatening language; harassment; or the use of false or misleading information to collect a debt. The FCRA regulates how collection agencies and creditors report delinquent debts to credit reporting agencies. Additional consumer protection laws include the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
But here’s the rub: If you want to enforce your rights, or recover money for violations — you need to sue. These laws provide individuals like you with a means to seek monetary damages in court. For example, the FDCPA allows consumers who have been violated to recover damages of up to $1,000, plus attorney fees and court costs.
You may have a case, if…
“When I first contacted Lemberg Law, I was at my wit’s end, not knowing what to do or how to protect myself against the collection agencies. I felt like I was sinking. After sending in my case evaluation, Lemberg Law quickly threw me a lifeline and turned the tide.”
“Thanks to the staff at Lemberg Law, I have peace of mind again. They worked quickly to find the harassing calls ended and were super considerate when I spoke together. I love the hard work!”
“I am so blessed that during this dreadful, frightening encounter, your company was there to help me. I can not thank you enough.”
We can absolutely help. Call us today.
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Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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Lemberg Law refused to help me with my dispute with HCI. All I got were repeated emails to send my credit report via email (not to a physical address which is pretty hinky in itself). I sent my credit report MULTIPLE times only to receive another email the next day asking for my credit report. They repeatedly called me asking me to email the credit report. This is a scam. The “free case evaluation” is a lie. Lemberg Law only gives false hope while apparently trying to obtain your Social Security Number.
HCI Healthcare Collections just submitted a negative item to all three credit reporting agencies. I found out when I was notified my credit score had changed. It had dropped drastically over a bill I paid in full and on time two years ago. I disputed the reports and HCI is claiming their information is accurate even though I keep sending them the receipt. This is making me crazy.