Vermont § 5366 - Delay in debt collection by health care provider

§ 5366. Delay in debt collection by health care provider

• (a) When a person files a claim under this chapter, no health care provider that has been
  given notice of the claim shall conduct any debt collection activities relating to
  medical or dental treatment received by the person in connection with the claim until
  an award is made on the claim or until the claim is determined to be noncompensable
  pursuant to section 5355 of this title. The period during which the health care provider is prohibited from conducting debt
  collection activities under this section shall be excluded in determining the applicable
  limitations period for commencing an action to collect the debt. (b) As used in this section: (1) “Debt collection activities” means repeatedly calling or writing to the claimant and
  threatening to turn the matter over to a debt collection agency or to an attorney
  for collection, enforcement, or filing of other process. The term shall not include
  routine billing or inquiries about the status of the claim. (2) “Health care provider” shall have the same meaning as in 18 V.S.A. § 9402. (Added 2007, No. 173 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)