CFPB releases consumer medical debt study results

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has announced the release of a research report that found consumers' credit scores may be overly penalized for medical debt that goes into collections and shows up on their credit report. The study, "CFPB Data Point: Medical Debt and Credit Scores," indicates credit scoring models may underestimate the creditworthiness of consumers who owe medical debt in collections. The scoring models also may not be crediting consumers who repay medical debt once in collection status.