CREST HAVEN – Freeholders focused on Cape May County’s accounts receivable at the Aug. 26 meeting. They conversed via telephone with Harve Platig, national director. NCS Plus, Inc., a New York-based collection agency. The board agreed to hire the agency, a resolution will be placed on the Sept. 9 agenda to formalize the contract.
A key feature of the firm, Platig said, is its flat-fee charge $11-$13 per account, and that it does not “cherry pick” as some collection agencies do. Rather, it accepts all accounts, and benefits from volume, not dollar amount, he said.
The approximate bad debt between the Crest Haven Nursing Home and the Health Department is just under $400,000. County Counsel has been working on behalf of the nursing home and has significantly reduced that number, but there remain two large balances which inflate the number.
After hearing the presentation, Director Gerald Thornton asked Director of Operations Michael Laffey to “reach out” to all 16 municipalities to see if there might be interest in joining the county to collect such delinquent bills as parking tickets, water and sewer bills and other fees. Should any show an interest, the county could sign a shared-services agreement.
“It might make it more effective and efficient,” said Thornton.
Platig said the firm’s callers act on behalf of the county, with delinquent funds being sent directly to the county or other agencies. It would remain up to the county or municipality whether to keep the claim active or suspend it, he said.
The firm would, if the county requested, send a thank you letter to the former debtor on payment of the bill, he said.
A payment progress summary report will be available online so the county can keep track of how payments were being made.
“If we have to go to Small Claims Court or (Superior) court over debts, do you provide us with all that (previous payment) information to verify?” Thornton asked. Platig said yes.
“To members of this board, I am upset about this outstanding debt for many many years,” Thornton added. “Recently we have started to make headway in some of the larger debt, a couple hundred thousand, but there is still a lot of outstanding debt out there.”
Platig said the firm continues to make contact with the debtor for about four months, except where arrangements are made. Those who do not clear up the debt get reported to credit agencies.
“Once it’s on the credit report it stays up to seven years,” said Platig.
He said some do not realize what impact a bad credit score can have on future purchases. If someone owes a debt, and does not pay, and it was placed on a credit report, years later, when they perhaps are in better financial condition, and seek to purchase a big-ticket item, they may be declined.
He cited a client government agency in New York State that was owed a $26,000 nursing home bill. For his firm’s $12.50 fee, the agency collected all its money.
New York University is among the firm’s clients, and has used it for over 20 years, Platig said.
Thornton asked Platig to send a copy of a contract that could be reviewed by the board at its Sept. 9 meeting.
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