Final IRS rules crack down on aggressive billing and collection practices

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Abstract: The IRS has released its final consumer-protection rules for charitable hospitals. In doing so, it’s cracking down on aggressive debt collection practices by, for example, placing a limitation on charges and mandating financial assistance plans. According to the IRS, tax-exempt hospitals should be held to a higher standard — which is why the Affordable Care Act (ACA) included additional billing and collection requirements for such institutions. This article discusses these finalized requirements, changes from proposed rules, and potential consequences of noncompliance.