Consumer Reporting Agencies to Remove Most Medical Debt From Credit Reports
The three nationwide credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, announced that effective July 1, 2022, they will no longer include medical debt that was paid after it was sent to collections on consumer credit reports.
The companies’ CEOs provided a joint statement on the decision to change their approach to medical collection debt reporting:
“Medical collection debt often arises from unforeseen medical circumstances. These changes are another step we’re taking together to help people across the United States focus on their financial and personal wellbeing,” said Mark W. Begor, CEO Equifax; Brian Cassin, CEO Experian; and Chris Cartwright, CEO TransUnion. “As an industry we remain committed to helping drive fair and affordable access to credit for all consumers.”
The time period before unpaid medical collection debt would appear on a consumer’s report will be increased from 6 months to one year, according to a press release, “giving consumers more time to work with insurance and/or healthcare providers to address their debt before it is reported on their credit file.”
In the first half of 2023, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion will also no longer include medical collection debt under at least $500 on credit reports.
The changes will remove nearly 70% of medical debt in collections accounts from consumer credit reports.
