Recovering Unpaid Care Fees

The current economic and political climate presents a number of different challenges for care providers, such as an ageing population, increased running costs on reduced funding, and competition from other providers.

The added pressure of having to deal with recovering unpaid care fees is therefore less than ideal for a care provider. We understand that care providers often face various hurdles when trying to recover unpaid fees, such as where a resident has limited capacity or has passed away, funds are tied up in a property/estate, or where disputes with local authorities add to the issue. If managed poorly, the process can be a real drain on already limited finances which might otherwise have been spent on your business. It could also affect both existing and future relationships.

Therefore, if an issue with recovering unpaid fees does occur, it is worth seeking quality independent legal advice early with a view to recovering those outstanding debts and improving your cash flow position, as soon as possible.

How can we help?

Our Healthcare Team understand the importance of maintaining good relationships and a strong reputation within the healthcare sector. As such, our aim is always to reach the best possible commercial resolution in an efficient manner and without recourse to court proceedings, wherever possible. As an external party to your dispute, we can:

• Preserve your relationships with residents, relatives and/or local authorities by adopting a pragmatic approach towards the dispute; and
• Step up the pressure on your debtor where it may be difficult or inappropriate for you to do so.

We will work closely with you to provide specialist and tailored advice based on the particular facts of your dispute and then proceed to deal with the matter as appropriate. We can offer a full cycle debt recovery process to include the following:

• Drafting initial letters of claim
• Issuing and management of Court proceedings
• Enforcement of County Court Judgments
• Mediation of disputes
• Disputing claims made against you
• Applications to remove a County Court Judgment issued against you

We can also consider whether there are any policies or procedures that could be altered or implemented, in order to try and prevent disputes occurring, to protect your position and your business going forwards.

If you wish to discuss a potential matter, please contact Henrietta Frew by email at Henrietta.Frew@ellisjones.co.uk or phone 01202 057863.