Healthcare Debt Recovery

Private & NHS Healthcare Debt Recovery

Our team regularly delivers bespoke debt recovery services to NHS and private healthcare organisations across the UK; including NHS Shared Business Services and NHS Trusts. Through our effective, debt recovery services, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner across the healthcare sector.

Recovering a range of healthcare debts

With our extensive experience in recovering various types of healthcare debts, we provide comprehensive and tailored support and advice to effectively manage your debt recovery needs. 

The types of healthcare debt we recover include:

  • Private patients – collecting overdue private patient debt for NHS and healthcare organisations while understanding the delicate nature of such situations
  • Overseas visitors – collecting debt from overseas visitors to the UK, with debts remaining active regardless of where a debtor has travelled or returned to
  • Salary overpayments – from current to former employees in the UK or elsewhere, we have experience with recovering salary overpayments, overpaid sick leave and holiday pay
  • Prescription debts – NHS patients have accumulated over £246m of unpaid prescription debts and we know the right approach for recovering what is rightfully yours
  • Commercial debts – often significant in size, commercial debts require attention in a timely manner in order to keep healthcare organisations running smoothly. Late payment interest and debt recovery charges could also be applicable, with our team best placed to advise on a case-by-case basis

Our healthcare debt recovery process

Our trusted process for debt recovery has been perfected over two decades and promises a thorough and compliant process.

Pre-Legal Collections

A 30-day collection cycle of data cleansing, letters, emails, calls and SMS text messages to ensure that all information is accurate. This step increases our chances of success and is completed at no cost to you. Our online Debt Manager system holds any correspondence we search, which can then be viewed and downloaded by the client.

End of Collections

At this stage, the file will be reviewed and assessed for its suitability for further action. If the debtor is a sole trader or individual, the next step involves sending a letter before claim, providing the debtor an additional 30 days to respond. Should the Pre-Action Protocol not be followed and court action becomes necessary, the creditor could be penalised by the court for non-compliance, potentially preventing the recovery of court fees or costs from the debtor. If the debtor is a business entity, there is no requirement for a letter before claim, and court action may be commenced if appropriate. 

Legal

At this stage we issue a claim form and obtain judgment for the outstanding healthcare debt. Once a claim form has been submitted, the debtor can decide whether to defend the claim, pay the full amount, or pay what they believe they owe. Defending the claim will escalate the case to a final Court hearing where a Judge will consider both the witness evidence and documentary evidence prior to making a decision. 

Enforcement

When the judgment has been obtained, you can then consider your enforcement options. Enforcement methods for healthcare and NHS debt recovery include: high court enforcement agents, charging orders, insolvency proceedings, attachment of earnings and a third party debt order. More information on our debt recovery methods can be found here under enforcement.

Why partner with Legal Recoveries & Collections for healthcare debt recovery? 

We promise a detailed knowledge of the healthcare sector, with experience in collecting a range of debt types. From the moment you put your trust in our team, you can expect a strategic approach that maximises the potential recovery amount, while saving you valuable money and resources. 

You will also benefit from ongoing support and advice, with a promise to protect your reputation thanks to our professional, compliant and ethical approach. You will also gain access to Debt Manager, our dedicated platform where you can monitor the progress of your debt collection cases in real time.

Get in touch

If you have been contacted by us please click here
If you are a business and would like to know more about how we can help you please complete the short form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Featured Customer Reviews

North East Ambulance Service

As an NHS ambulance Trust, we don’t have in-house debt collection specialists, so find it difficult to pursue monies outstanding once our usual follow up process runs its course. LRC was recommended to us by another local NHS Trust and we approached them to find out what they could offer. We have been using LRC for nearly 3 years now and have not been disappointed. Our collection rate is circa 70% which represents a significant sum of money that is coming back into the NHS for patient care.

The team are very knowledgeable on the best route to recovery but will also advise when its just not financially viable to pursue a debt any longer. We have regular updates and meetings with Andrea the client services manager so everything is kept on track. It’s always our decision but LRC give us the best tools to make the right one.

James Paget University Hospitals

We have worked with LRC for about 9 years now and throughout this time they have provided us with good customer service and are always prepared to go that extra mile. Their recent gaining of ‘law firm’ status enables them to now handle the entire debt recovery process for us from pre-legal collections, through to legal proceedings and enforcement therefore ensuring continuity.

Royal Veterinary College

It is always possible to get hold of a person to discuss a particular case. Our Staff have found LRC employees to be helpful, friendly and quick to respond to any queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of healthcare debts do you recover?

We recover a wide range of healthcare debts for both NHS and private healthcare organisations. These include:

  • Private patients – recovering overdue payments from private patients while handling the situation with sensitivity.
  • Overseas visitors – recovering debts from overseas visitors to the UK, regardless of whether they’ve returned to their home country.
  • Salary overpayments – recovering overpayments made to current or former employees, including overpaid sick leave and holiday pay.
  • Prescription debts – assisting with the recovery of unpaid NHS prescription charges.
  • Commercial debts – recovering significant commercial debts, with the possibility of applying late payment interest and recovery charges where applicable.

2. How does your healthcare debt recovery process work?

Our process is structured into several key stages:

  • Pre-Legal Collections: A 30-day collection cycle involving data cleansing, letters, emails, phone calls, and SMS messages. This phase ensures all information is accurate and maximises recovery success.
  • End of Collections: We assess the file to determine the suitability for further action. For individuals, a letter before claim is sent, providing an additional 30 days to respond. If court action becomes necessary, compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol is required.
  • Legal: If required, we issue a claim form and work to obtain judgment for the outstanding healthcare debt. The debtor may choose to defend the claim, pay the full amount, or settle a portion of the debt.
  • Enforcement: Once a judgment is obtained, various enforcement options are available, such as high court enforcement agents, charging orders, insolvency proceedings, attachment of earnings, or third party debt orders.

3. What enforcement methods are available for healthcare debt recovery?

Enforcement methods for healthcare debt recovery include:

  • High court enforcement agents
  • Charging orders
  • Insolvency proceedings
  • Attachment of earnings
  • Third party debt orders

These options allow us to recover debts efficiently, depending on the debtor’s situation. More information about these methods can be found on our enforcement page.

4. What is the Pre-Legal Collections phase?

The Pre-Legal Collections phase is a 30-day collection cycle where we use various communication methods (letters, emails, phone calls, SMS) to cleanse data and ensure all debtor information is accurate. This step is cost-free and increases the chances of successful debt recovery.

5. Do you handle salary overpayments for healthcare organisations?

Yes, we handle the recovery of salary overpayments, including those related to overpaid sick leave, holiday pay, and payments to former employees. Our experience allows us to recover these overpayments efficiently and ethically.

6. Can you help recover debt from overseas visitors?

Yes, we have the expertise to recover healthcare debt from overseas visitors, even if the debtor has returned to their home country. Our team is experienced in handling such cases with professionalism.

7. Why should I choose Legal Recoveries & Collections for healthcare debt recovery?

We offer a strategic approach tailored to the healthcare sector, maximising the potential recovery amount while protecting your organisation’s reputation. Our compliant, ethical methods ensure your cases are handled professionally. We also provide real-time monitoring of your cases through our Debt Manager platform, offering you transparency and control over the process.

8. What is the Debt Manager platform?

Debt Manager is our dedicated online portal that allows you to monitor the progress of your debt collection cases in real time. You can track communications, view reports, and receive updates on each case.

9. How do you ensure compliance in healthcare debt recovery?

We follow strict legal and ethical guidelines throughout the debt recovery process. Our team has a deep understanding of the healthcare sector, ensuring that we protect your organisation’s reputation while pursuing debt recovery in a compliant and professional manner.

10. Can your services help NHS organisations as well as private healthcare providers?

Yes, we work with both NHS organisations and private healthcare providers across the UK. Our experience spans NHS Trusts, NHS Shared Business Services, and private healthcare entities, providing tailored debt recovery services for a wide range of healthcare clients.

Get in Touch with Us

If you have any questions about our service or would like to discuss your matters with us in greater detail, please contact the Business Development Team on 0330 024 6342