Medical Debt Validation: What Federal Law Allows You to Do
If a medical debt collector contacts you, federal law gives you the right to demand proof before paying.
This page explains how medical debt validation works, what happens after a request is sent, and when this process applies.
What Is Medical Debt Validation?
Medical debt validation is a formal process under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
When a medical debt is sent to collections, consumers have the right to request verification of the debt. This requires the collector to provide documentation showing:
- The debt exists
- The amount is accurate
- The collector has legal authority to collect
Until this verification is provided, federal law requires collection activity to pause.
The Law Behind Medical Debt Validation
Medical debt validation rights come from the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), specifically 15 U.S.C. § 1692g.
Under this law, if a consumer requests validation of a debt, the collector must cease collection efforts until verification is provided.
This process does not dispute the debt.
It requires the collector to prove it.
Why Medical Debt Is Frequently Incomplete
Medical debt often passes through multiple entities — hospitals, billing services, insurance adjustments, and collection agencies.
As a result, documentation such as itemized charges, explanations of benefits (EOBs), proof of assignment, or authorization to collect is often incomplete or missing.
Federal law exists to ensure collectors can substantiate the debt before payment is demanded.
What Happens After You Send a Validation Request
Request Sent
Your validation request is delivered to the collection agency.
Collection Pauses
While validation is pending, collection activity must pause.
Verification Response
The collector may respond with documentation.
Your Decision
You review the documentation and decide how to proceed.
If no validation is provided
Continued collection attempts may violate federal law.
Silence after a proper validation request matters.
What This Process Is — And Is Not
This process IS:
- A legal right under federal law
- A way to require documentation before paying
- A procedural consumer protection
This process is NOT:
- Legal advice
- A guarantee of debt elimination
- A credit repair service
- A dispute with the hospital
When Medical Debt Validation Applies
This process applies when:
- A medical debt has been sent to a collection agency
- You are being contacted about payment
This process does not apply when:
- The bill is still with the original hospital or provider
- You are already in active litigation
How Section 809 Helps
Section 809 prepares a compliant medical debt validation letter based on federal law.
You review the letter before anything is sent.
You can download it, mail it yourself, or have it mailed with tracking.
Nothing is sent without your approval.