Wakefield and Associates: What You Need to Know

Table of Contents

Wakefield and Associates is one of the most well-established debt collection agencies in the U.S., specializing primarily in medical debt recovery and healthcare revenue cycle management. With over 75 years in the industry, the company has become a major player in the collections world, employing more than 900 associates across eight offices nationwide. But while Wakefield markets itself as a trusted partner for healthcare providers, consumer complaints and legal challenges paint a more complex picture.

So, who exactly is Wakefield and Associates? Let’s break it down.

The History of Wakefield and Associates: A Post-WWII Debt Collector

Founded in 1946, Wakefield & Associates started as a traditional debt collection firm but has since evolved into a healthcare-specific collections agency. The company now provides full-service revenue cycle management, reflecting the increasingly complex world of medical billing in the U.S. healthcare system. – Source

Despite its deep roots in the industry, Wakefield was formally incorporated on April 30, 1986, decades after its original founding. – Source

Where Does Wakefield and Associates Operate?

Wakefield maintains a nationwide presence with offices in multiple states. The company’s headquarters are located in Aurora, Colorado, but they also have major operational hubs in:

Knoxville, Tennessee
Fort Morgan, Colorado
Eatontown, New Jersey
Jefferson City, Missouri
– Source

This multi-state footprint allows them to pursue debts across different jurisdictions, making them a formidable force in medical collections.

What Does Wakefield and Associates Actually Do?

Primary Focus: Medical Debt Collection

At its core, Wakefield & Associates specializes in collecting unpaid medical bills. They work with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers to recover outstanding balances from patients. – Source

How They Operate

Wakefield employs two main strategies to recover unpaid debts:

Third-Party Collections – Acting as a traditional debt collector on behalf of hospitals and medical providers.
Debt Purchasing – Buying delinquent medical debts outright from healthcare providers and collecting as the new owner. – Source

Beyond standard debt collection, Wakefield also offers insurance claims management, invoice processing, and accounts receivable optimization, making them a full-service revenue cycle management firm. – Source

Wakefield’s Public Image: A Mix of Praise and Complaints

While Wakefield presents itself as a professional and ethical debt collection firm, consumer feedback suggests a different story.

Do You Have a Question You'd Like Help With? Contact Debt Coach Damon Day. Click here to reach Damon.

Accreditation & Ratings

Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited since 2015 with an A- rating
(Despite this, the company has accumulated over 800 complaints.)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Database contains 2,500+ complaints about Wakefield’s collection practices. – Source

Common Consumer Complaints

Many complaints against Wakefield & Associates revolve around allegations of unfair and aggressive collection tactics, including:

Attempting to collect debts that aren’t owed
Reporting incorrect debt amounts
Allegedly misleading or threatening communication. – Source

Legal Troubles

Wakefield has also been named in at least one class-action lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which is designed to protect consumers from harassment and unfair collection practices. – Source

Wakefield and Associates Today: Expanding Under Different Names

Today, Wakefield & Associates operates under multiple business names, including:

Wakefield Payment Solutions
Revenue Recovery Corporation (formerly RMB, Inc.) – Source

They continue to expand their operations, offering online payment portals and using modern digital communication to pursue collections – Source

Final Thoughts: A Major Player in a Controversial Industry

Wakefield & Associates has stood the test of time in the debt collection world, adapting to changes in healthcare finance and collections laws. However, like many collection agencies, they walk a fine line between helping businesses recover revenue and being accused of predatory tactics.

For anyone contacted by Wakefield, it’s essential to understand your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and challenge any inaccuracies in your debt records.

What do you think? Have you had an experience with Wakefield & Associates? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it.

Citations:

The 20 Most Recent Federal Court Cases That Include Wakefield and Associates

Not found. Sign Up to RSS.app to use this feed.

Past Posts on Wakefield and Associates

Steve Rhode Debt Coach and Author

Steve Rhode is the Get Out of Debt Guy and has been helping good people with bad debt problems since 1994. You can learn more about Steve, here.

See Full Bio

Consumer Debt Consumer Bankruptcy How to Get out of Debt Money Troubles Money Personalities Budgeting Behavioral Economics Motivation Inspiration Money Management The History of Credit and Debt Getting Out of Debt Get Out of Debt Debt Settlement Credit Counseling Loan & Debt Relief Scams Debt Relief Industry Practices Exposing Deceptive Financial Services Helping Consumers Navigate Financial Hardship Consumer Advocacy Consumer Debt Expert Consumer Protection Debt Relief Scam Student Loan Bankruptcy Debt Validation Debt and Mental Health Student Loans Debt Consolidation Debt in the Military