[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR401.621]

[Page 22]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
                    CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE
                          & MEDICAID SERVICES,
                        DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                             HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 401_GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart F_Claims Collection and Compromise
 
Sec.  401.621  Termination of collection action.

    (a) General factors. After considering the bases for a decision to 
terminate collection action under paragraph (b) of this section, CMS may 
further consider factors such as--
    (1) The age and health of the debtor if the debtor is an individual;
    (2) Present and potential income of the debtor; and
    (3) Whether assets have been concealed or improperly transferred by 
the debtor.
    (b) Basis for termination of collection action. Bases on which CMS 
may terminate collection action on a claim include the following--
    (1) Inability to collect a substantial amount of the claim. CMS may 
terminate collection action if it determines that it is unable to 
collect, or to enforce collection, of a significant amount of the claim. 
In making this determination, CMS will consider factors such as--
    (i) Judicial remedies available;
    (ii) The debtor's future financial prospects; and
    (iii) Exemptions available to the debtor under State or Federal law.
    (2) Inability to locate debtor. In cases involving missing debtors, 
CMS may terminate collection action if--
    (i) There is no security remaining to be liquidated;
    (ii) The applicable statute of limitations has run; or
    (iii) The prospects of collecting by offset, whether or not an 
applicable statute of limitations has run, are considered by CMS to be 
too remote to justify retention of the claim.
    (3) Cost of collection exceeds recovery. CMS may terminate 
collection action if it determines that the cost of further collection 
action will exceed the amount recoverable.
    (4) Legal insufficiency. CMS may terminate collection action if it 
determines that the claim is legally without merit.
    (5) Evidence unavailable. CMS may terminate collection action if--
    (i) Efforts to obtain voluntary payment are unsuccessful; and
    (ii) Evidence or witnesses necessary to prove the claim are 
unavailable.