Florida Hospital can dismiss claims it acted as debt collector, judge says

Morgan Haefner -

A judge granted motions filed by Tampa, Fla.-based Florida Hospital Carrollwood — recently renamed AdventHealth Carrollwood — to dismiss claims that the hospital functions as a debt collector, according to the Florida Record.

Three things to know:

1. The plaintiff, Ben Smith, claimed Florida Hospital Carrollwood placed a lien after he failed to pay a bill. Mr. Smith accused the hospital of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Florida Consumer Collections Practices Act, as well as improperly disclosing the lien to third parties.

2. According to a Jan. 7 ruling obtained by the Florida Record, U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone granted the hospital's motion to dismiss several claims in the lawsuit. Judge Arnold Sansone said the plaintiff "failed to plead facts showing he is plausibly entitled to relief."

3. Mr. Smith has until Jan. 31 to file an amended complaint concerning the accusations about the hospital disclosing the lien to third parties.

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