Instead of simply using an individual’s credit score, nTelagent’s Self-Pay Management System incorporates in-depth demographic information to help healthcare service providers arrive at a more accurate picture of patient financial responsibilities at the point of service. 

The demographic data used for patient evaluation in nTelagent’s algorithm includes a patient’s household income, real estate value, number of people in the household, homeowner versus renter status, and other data.

Why doesn’t nTelagent rely on credit score data?

"Security freeze" laws and options are now present in all states. These freezes allow a consumer to lock access to their credit file, and therefore a potential seller of services cannot check that file. While these freezes can help to stop identity theft, they limit a provider’s capacity to determine someone’s ability to pay for medical services via methods such as credit scoring.

In addition, healthcare providers can run into problems in obtaining someone’s credit score due to rules set forth in the Federal Credit Reporting Act. Section 604 of the Act states that a consumer reporting agency can provide a report only when a patient or guarantor has initiated the request (unless the requestor is offering credit or insurance), and for providers, the only way that can happen is with a signed document. Without a signed document from a patient, healthcare providers can receive only minimal information (e.g., consumers’ names and addresses) from a reporting agency.