#1 Way to Remove 'Professional Medical Management' (Hurting Your Score)

Most often they're calling to collect or verify a medical balance after insurance adjustments, a separate provider bill, an out-of-network charge, an old account sold to a collector, a mixed file/wrong number, or possible identity theft.

Common triggers are unpaid balances after insurer changes, split bills (radiology, anesthesiology), accounts purchased/assigned, or misrouted patient info; fraud can look the same.

Immediate moves: Do not confirm SSN or pay on the call. Ask for the FDCPA §1692g written validation and review CFPB debt collection rights. Hang up and call back only on a published number. Log date, time, caller name, and badge/ID. Check all three credit reports before negotiating by getting your free annual credit reports.

Check EOBs and the provider's patient portal for itemized charges. If it looks fraudulent, visit report or recover identity theft. Consider a neutral three-bureau review by an independent professional to spot duplicates or insurance errors before you call anyone back. If validation is refused, dispute it in writing and consult a consumer attorney or your state attorney general.

Professional Medical Management primarily collects medical bills for healthcare providers (facility and professional fees), such as hospitals, ERs, imaging/pathology, anesthesia, labs, ambulances and specialty clinics; they may also pursue medical financing or BNPL tied to treatment, and they rarely collect mortgages or federal student loans.

• Hospital inpatient and facility charges (including ER facility fees)
• Emergency room physician and urgent care professional fees
• Radiology, pathology and imaging bills
• Anesthesia and surgical professional fees
• Laboratory tests and outpatient procedure charges
• Ambulance and medical transport costs
• Specialty clinic and physician group receivables
• Clinic payment plans, medical-finance or BNPL related to care

Before you pay or negotiate, verify everything so you don't pay the wrong bill.

• Original provider name and account or medical record number
• Exact date(s) and place of service
• Explanation of benefits, insurance adjudication, payments and denials
• Charity care, financial-assistance eligibility or prior write-offs
• Full itemization showing billed charges, contractual adjustments, insurance payments and your patient responsibility
• Proof of prior payments and whether the balance was sold or transferred
• Statute of limitations or time-barred status on the account

Professional Medical Management may be legitimate or fraudulent, so treat every contact as unverified until they provide written validation, you independently confirm published contact details, and the account information matches your bills or EOBs.

• Pressure to pay immediately or threats of arrest or instant legal action.
• Requests for gift cards, Zelle, crypto, or other untraceable payments.
• Refusal to send validation or any details in writing.
• Caller ID spoofing, frequent anonymous calls, or numbers that don't match public listings.
• Account numbers, dates, or amounts that conflict with your records.
• Demands to waive rights or to discuss 'off the record.'
  If you see these, stop communication and document everything.

Safe-contact steps: call back only using the company phone listed on its website or a trusted directory, demand mailed validation within 30 days, do not give bank or card details until validated, and pay only by a traceable method if you decide to settle; keep copies of all letters and dates.

For official advice see CFPB guidance on debt collectors and verify company history with BBB business search.

Get the company's official phone and mailing address from verified sources, then send disputes by certified mail, return receipt requested.

Before you call or mail, confirm the current phone and street address on government or industry directories, websites change and scammers spoof names; cross-check records on the CFPB company complaint database and the Better Business Bureau profile. Prefer certified mail for any dispute or validation request, keep copies, and log call dates, times, and agent names.

Mailing template to copy exactly: Professional Medical Management, Attn: Compliance/Disputes, File #________, [Street address], [City, State ZIP]. Do not include your SSN. Request written debt validation and keep the return receipt as proof you mailed the dispute.

Federal law (the FDCPA and Regulation F) gives you firm, enforceable rights about how a collector like Professional Medical Management may contact you, what it must tell you, and how you can stop or challenge collection efforts.

• Validation notice: you must get written notice stating the amount, creditor, and your 30‑day right to dispute, plus the original creditor if different.
• Right to request validation: timely dispute forces the collector to verify before continuing collection.
• Contact limits: generally only 8 a.m.–9 p.m. local time; no workplace calls if your employer forbids them.
• No third‑party disclosure: they may not discuss your debt with friends, family, or coworkers.
• No harassment or misrepresentation: no threats, false statements, or misleading legal claims.
• Right to stop: you can send a written cease-communications request; collectors must honor it except to confirm receipt or to notify of specific actions.
• Right to sue: you can sue for FDCPA/Reg F violations and seek damages and attorney fees.

To use these rights, send written disputes, validation requests, or cease letters to the collector's address and keep proof of delivery; a timely 30‑day dispute buys you protection while they validate. Regulation F also covers electronic contacts, so you can set or revoke mail/email/phone consent in writing.

Document every call, time, and message; note any illegal conduct. For plain-language federal guidance see the CFPB overview of debt collection.

• Practical steps: 1) Request validation within 30 days; 2) Send a written cease if annoyed; 3) State preferred contact channels and revoke consent in writing; 4) Save records and report or sue if they break the law.

Start by sending a written, traceable debt validation request within 30 days of first contact, demanding full proof before you accept or pay.

Letter asks (send by CMRRR, keep copies):

• Itemized balance (principal, interest, fees).
• Original provider name, dates of service, and patient account number.
• Insurance payments / EOBs showing what was billed vs paid.
• Assignment or chain of title showing they own or collect the account.
• Signed patient agreement or consent forms tying you to the debt.
• A clear statement that you require all responses in writing and that calls stop until validation is provided.

Use CFPB sample validation letters to model your wording.

If they fail to validate, tell them in writing to cease collection and to stop reporting incorrect information, then file disputes with each credit bureau enclosing your validation request and proofs; follow the CFPB credit dispute steps and keep records of every mailing and response.

If reporting continues after a reasonable investigation, consider a written complaint to the CFPB, your state attorney general, and counsel for FDCPA/FCRA violations. For negotiation or settlement offers, get everything in writing before paying. Good records and fast, firm written moves protect your score and your rights.

If the PMM account is not yours, act fast: determine whether it's an identity mix-up or true identity theft, then follow the correct path to delete the tradeline.

First, decision tree: pull all three credit reports to see what data matches; if SSN, DOB, or addresses differ it's likely an identity mix-up, if your SSN or other unique identifiers appear it's identity theft. Order reports at get your three free credit reports and compare creditor name, account number, dates, balances, and provider notes.

Central list - documents & deadlines:

• ID (driver's license or passport), proof of current address, copies of any PMM letters.
• Medical EOBs, provider statements, account numbers, and a signed affidavit (notarize if requested).
• Certified-mail dispute copies and return receipts.
• Deadlines: bureaus and collectors must investigate within 30 days of your dispute; keep timelines in writing.

If mix-up: file a dispute with each bureau and with Professional Medical Management in writing. Include the documents above, demand deletion and proof of chain of assignment, and request written confirmation of removal.

If identity theft: file a report at report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, get a police report, place a fraud alert or credit freeze, and use FCRA identity-theft blocking rights; submit the FTC and police reports to bureaus and PMM.

If PMM won't remove it, send a certified CFPB complaint at file a CFPB complaint online and keep copies of everything for potential legal action.

Yes, collectors can reach you, but federal rules tightly limit when, where, and what they may say, and who they may contact (generally 8 a.m.–9 p.m. local time).

• Work: They may call your workplace only if calls won't violate employer rules; if you notify them in writing to stop workplace calls they must cease.
• Social media: They cannot publicly post about your debt; private direct messages are treated as communications but must not be visible to others or used to shame you.
• After hours: Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time are generally prohibited unless you gave permission.
• Friends/family: Third parties may be contacted only to obtain location information (address, phone, employer); collectors may not disclose the existence or amount of the debt, and may not repeatedly harass third parties.
• Written preferences: Put channel or time restrictions in writing and the collector must respect them; keep copies. For official rules and how to file complaints see the CFPB debt collection rule.

Document every contact, stop calls in writing, and report illegal or abusive behavior immediately.

Keep a tight evidence file: log date, time, caller ID, exact words, and save voicemails, texts, emails, and screenshots. Record calls only if your state allows one-party recording; when unsure use this safe phrase: "I withdraw any consent to be contacted by phone, please communicate only in writing." Mail a certified cease-communication or limited-contact letter and simultaneously request debt validation. If they keep calling after you've sent the letter, treat each repeat contact as a violation.

If the collector threatens, uses slurs, calls repeatedly, or contacts prohibited places, file complaints and escalate: submit a complaint to file a CFPB complaint and notify your state attorney general directory. Preserve all proofs and consider civil remedies under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; if violations continue, hire a consumer attorney to demand injunctive relief or file an FDCPA suit.

Quick action checklist:

• Start a call log now.
• Save voicemails, texts, emails, screenshots.
• Record only if legal in your state.
• Send certified cease-contact + debt validation.
• File CFPB and state AG complaints.
• Consult a consumer attorney for FDCPA action.

Usually no: a collector like Professional Medical Management can only tack on interest, fees, or other charges if your original agreement, a subsequent court judgment, or state law explicitly allows those add‑ons. If the account was sold or assigned, the buyer inherits the contract terms, not unlimited new charges, and federal rules bar false or misleading amounts on collection notices. You should treat any added interest or fees as suspect unless you can point to a contract clause, an EOB showing the charge, or a statute authorizing it.

Demand an itemized accounting that breaks principal, interest, and each fee and compare it line‑by‑line to your Explanation of Benefits and the original contract; Regulation F requires clear itemization practices. If amounts aren't justified, dispute them in writing, send the letter by certified mail, keep copies, and request validation. For details on the required itemization format and your rights, see the CFPB itemization guidance for Reg F.

No, a collector like Professional Medical Management cannot take your wages or freeze your bank account without first suing you and winning a court judgment.

After a judgment the collector must serve you, obtain the judgment entry, then request a garnishment or levy order from the court. Wage garnishment is served on your employer so money is taken from future paychecks. A bank levy or freeze is a separate post-judgment step where the court order is sent to your bank. Each step requires court paperwork and often additional state-required notices.

Many income sources are protected, Social Security and most VA and SSI benefits are exempt from ordinary garnishment, and states commonly protect a portion of wages or bank funds. Creditors cannot lawfully take exempt benefits, though they may try, so you must assert exemptions promptly. Rules and exemption amounts vary by state and benefit type.

If you receive a summons respond immediately, do not ignore it, or you risk a default judgment that makes garnishment easier. Get free or low-cost legal help right away and dispute the debt if valid. For clear consumer guidance see FTC debt collection information

Check Professional Medical Management's BBB page to see its current letter grade, complaint count, and how the company responds.

Go to Professional Medical Management BBB profile and search the company name; the profile lists the letter rating, total complaints, complaint types and dates, plus company responses and resolution status. Watch response time, repeated complaint themes, and whether issues stay open. BBB ratings factor complaint volume, responsiveness, transparency, licensing, advertising issues, and time in business.

Use the BBB record as supporting evidence, not as a legal judgment. Patterns of unresolved or recurring complaints strengthen a validation dispute, CFPB or state attorney general filing; include BBB case numbers, dates, and screenshots. Remember BBB is not a government regulator, but its trends and response/resolution rates are a practical public scorecard to reference when disputing or negotiating collections.

Class actions against medical debt collectors can produce settlements, deadlines, and releases that may correct credit entries or pay damages for affected consumers.

Start by searching enforcement actions and dockets: check the CFPB enforcement database, look at state attorney general press releases, and search CourtListener docket records or Google Scholar for case captions and notices.

Know how settlements work: certified classes set claim forms and strict deadlines, and approved releases can bar future private suits if you stay in. You can usually opt out to preserve a private lawsuit; missing a claim deadline often forfeits settlement benefits. Some settlements toll statute deadlines, others do not, so read notice language carefully.

Practical steps: save all collection letters, file the class claim by the deadline if appropriate, opt out if you plan private litigation, dispute credit reports, and consult a consumer attorney for higher-value or identity-misuse claims.

Treat the notice as a 30-day debt-validation clock: act quickly, collect proof, and force validation.

Day-by-day checklist:

Day 1, calendar the 30-day window and note the collector's contact date.

Day 1–3, pull EOBs, itemized bills, medical records, insurance remits, and provider contracts.

Day 4–7, verify provider name, dates of service, CPT/diagnosis codes, billed vs allowed amounts, and duplicate entries.

Day 7–10, prepare and send a debt-validation request by certified mail, return receipt requested (CMRRR), demanding itemization, chain of assignment, and proof insurance paid.

Day 10–30, set written contact preferences (no calls, no workplace), log every contact, and avoid phone calls until you have documents.

Don't call before you have paperwork, admissions can waive defenses; let the collector respond in writing. If unsure about identity or duplicates, consider a neutral tri-merge review to find duplicates and insurance misposts. If the collector fails to validate within 30 days, send a second CMRRR demand and dispute any bureau entries.

Use the CFPB sample validation letters to model your request: CFPB sample validation letters. Monitor all three credit bureaus, file a CFPB or state attorney general complaint for violations, and consult a consumer attorney if you receive a lawsuit or judgeable threat. Monitor, document, don't admit, and escalate if validation is missing.

Ignoring Professional Medical Management might hush calls for a while, but unpaid medical collections can still damage your credit, accrue lawful fees, and expose you to lawsuits that may lead to judgments, wage garnishment, or bank levies if the collector wins.
Don't assume silence fixes it, validate first: send a written debt validation request and dispute unverifiable entries with the credit bureaus and the original provider. Contact the hospital or clinic about charity care, financial assistance, or billing errors before paying a collection agency.

Know that a small 'good-faith' payment or a signed promise to pay can, in many states, restart the statute of limitations and revive legal risk, so avoid partial payments until you've verified the debt.
If you truly cannot pay, insist on everything in writing, negotiate a settled amount or an affordable written plan, and use a written cease request to limit contacts; keep records and send certified mail for key notices. If the collector violates the law, use your FDCPA rights and consider a consumer attorney. For clear templates and steps on validation, disputes, and complaints see CFPB debt collection guidance.

Not necessarily, negotiating a lower amount can be smart, but only if you lock protections in writing first.

A settlement can stop collection, cut your balance, and sometimes avoid a lawsuit. It can also revive time‑barred debt or reset the statute of limitations in some states, and forgiven amounts may create tax liability, so review 1099-C tax implications. Pay-for-delete is uncommon, and settling often leaves negative history unless the collector guarantees deletion in writing. Never give ongoing ACH or recurring debit access; use one-time payments and demand explicit reporting and release language before paying.

Non-negotiables to get in writing:

• Exact settled amount, account number it clears, and payment due date.
• Payment method limited to one-time payment, plus a signed receipt on payment.
• Clear statement of credit bureau reporting change, including exact status wording.
• Full release of liability and a promise no further collection or resale.
• Who will issue any 1099 or tax forms and how forgiveness will be reported.
• Explicit prohibition on automatic debits (no ACH), and signed pay-for-delete if offered.

For negotiation tactics and consumer guidance see CFPB settlement tips.

You cannot be arrested for ordinary consumer medical debt, but a collector can sue you in civil court if the claim is valid and still within the statute of limitations.

If you are served, the summons will give a deadline to answer, which varies by state (commonly 20 to 30 days). If you ignore it, the collector can obtain a default judgment, then pursue wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens. Even time-barred claims should not be ignored, raise that defense in your answer, and never skip responding to court papers. Find free or low-cost legal help via LSC legal aid finder.

Practical next steps: open and date every document, calendar the response deadline, file an answer or appearance, request debt validation, and get any agreement in writing. Contact a consumer attorney or legal aid immediately, because responding preserves defenses and often prevents harsher collection remedies.

You can sue under the FDCPA, file government complaints, or hire a consumer lawyer to stop unlawful collection tactics and recover money.

The FDCPA gives you a private right of action: courts may award statutory damages up to $1,000, plus actual damages, and require the collector to pay your attorneys' fees and court costs. Preserve everything: dated call logs, recorded voicemails, text messages, letters, payment records, screenshots, and witness notes. Remember the one-year federal deadline to file an FDCPA suit, counted from the date of the violation.

Practical options: send a certified demand letter demanding validation and cessation, file a complaint with the CFPB or your state attorney general, sue in small claims or federal court, or retain a consumer attorney who handles FDCPA claims. For federal guidance see the CFPB FDCPA overview and to find representation use find a consumer lawyer.

• Evidence to preserve: dated call logs, voicemails, letters/emails, texts/screenshots, payment receipts, account statements, witness names.
• Immediate steps: send certified demand letter, document every contact, file CFPB/AG complaint, consult a consumer attorney, consider small-claims suit if damages are modest.

Yes - you can often avoid paying a collection by Professional Medical Management if you prove the bill is wrong, show it is time-barred, or qualify for hospital financial assistance, but you must act smart and never ignore a lawsuit.

Start by demanding full debt validation in writing and obtain itemized bills, explanation of benefits, and the provider's contract; a professional medical billing audit frequently finds coding, insurance adjudication, or assignment errors that erase the balance.

If insurance paid, or if contractual adjustments were required and not applied, send the proof to the collector and dispute the tradeline with the bureaus; corrected insurance adjudication or contract errors commonly trigger deletions.

If the statute of limitations expired, avoid acknowledging or making any payment because that can revive the debt, and note that collectors may not sue or threaten litigation for time-barred obligations under CFPB guidance; CFPB time-barred debt guidance. ([consumerfinance.gov](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/final-rules/fair-debt-coll…))

For nonprofit hospital bills check eligibility for written financial assistance and collection limits under IRC 501(r), apply immediately, and document everything; IRS 501(r) overview. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/general-health-care-irc-secti…))

If you are sued, respond or get an attorney; litigation can remove defenses if ignored, and a short audit or lawyer often turns a scary notice into a deleted account.

Choose credit repair when the Professional Medical Management entry is incorrect or unverifiable; pay or negotiate directly when the debt is valid and collectible.

First, run a tri-merge credit snapshot to see which bureau removals yield the fastest score gains. If reporting errors, wrong balances, identity issues, or lack of validation exist, prioritize dispute and validation steps you can do free under the FCRA and FDCPA, or hire a reputable credit repair firm to file documentation on your behalf, knowing they cannot lawfully remove accurate, verified items. If the account is valid and still within the statute of limitations, contact the original provider about charity care, hardship programs, or a documented settlement that specifies reporting terms; insist on written agreement for any pay-for-delete promises, knowing pay-for-delete is rare but settlements can stop lawsuits. Weigh the math: credit repair fees versus settlement cost, expected score improvement from tri-merge projections, and legal risk from nonpayment. Choose the path that yields the best net credit score gain, lowest out-of-pocket cost, and least exposure to collection lawsuits for your situation.