United Recovery Solutions (URS) is a debt collection agency and recovery service based in Jacksonville, Florida that works to recover unpaid debts on behalf of original creditors. There have been some questions around whether URS engages in legitimate and lawful practices. The goal of this analysis is to examine the available evidence and determine if URS can be considered a trustworthy and ethical business.
Overview of URS
United Recovery Solutions (URS) is a debt collection agency that has been operating since 2004. They provide customized collections solutions for businesses that have delinquent account receivables. URS focuses on recovering past-due invoices and B2B debt through letters, phone calls, mediation, and litigation if necessary (https://unitedrecovery.net/).
According to their website, URS utilizes advanced collection techniques and customized strategies based on each client’s needs. They have over 100 employees across multiple locations that specialize in various industries like healthcare, transportation, staffing, manufacturing, and more. URS claims to have recovered over $1 billion for their clients since being founded.
Key facts about URS’s history include:
- Founded in 2004 in Anaheim, CA
- Expanded to over 7 locations across the U.S.
- Named one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies by Inc. 5000 in 2016
- Recovered over $1 billion in debt for clients
- Specializes in B2B collections across multiple industries
Licensing and Accreditations
United Recovery Solutions (URS) has obtained multiple licenses and accreditations to support its asset recovery operations. According to information from the Better Business Bureau, URS holds a state business license from the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations (https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/oviedo/category/asset-recovery). URS is also licensed in many states across the U.S. to legally collect debts. However, the company is not accredited by the BBB despite having an A- rating.
While URS has obtained legally required state licenses to operate, it does not hold certifications from industry associations like ACA International, the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals (ACA). Many reputable debt collection agencies voluntarily obtain ACA certification, which requires ethical business practices and compliance with all legal regulations (https://www.agrusslawfirm.com/collection-agencies/). The lack of industry accreditation could be a potential point of concern for URS.
Leadership and Employee Backgrounds
United Recovery Solutions was founded in 2011 by John Marotta and Frank Hanlon. John Marotta previously served as the Senior Vice President of Client Services as well as Director of New Business Development for Laura Bajraktari– Human Resources & Recruitment Director . Frank Hanlon had over 15 years of experience in the collections industry prior to starting URS.
The current President and CEO is Matthew Reynolds, who has over 20 years of experience in the debt collection industry. He previously served in leadership roles at major collection agencies including Diversified Collection Services and NCO Financial Systems.
In reviewing employee backgrounds at URS, there don’t appear to be any major red flags. Most of the leadership team and account managers have solid experience and credentials in debt collection. The company states that all employees must pass comprehensive background and drug tests prior to being hired.
Online Reviews
United Recovery Solutions (URS) has received generally positive reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where they currently hold an A+ rating. As of February 2023, the BBB lists 38 customer reviews for URS, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews praise URS for their professionalism and effectiveness at recovering assets. For example, one reviewer stated “The rep I dealt with was very professional and resolved my account quickly” (BBB review).
However, URS has also received some negative feedback on review sites. As of February 2023, the Consumer Affairs website lists 19 negative reviews, several complaining about rude or aggressive collectors. For instance, one review states “The collector was extremely rude, condescending and outright unprofessional” (Consumer Affairs). Reviews on other sites like Google (3.4 stars) and Yelp (2 stars) also contain complaints about harassment from URS collectors.
Reviews from past and current URS employees on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor are more mixed. While some employees praise the work culture and room for advancement, others complain about stressful quotas and ” boiler room” atmospheres. As one former debt collector stated: “It was high stress and very sales driven environment” (Glassdoor).
Lawsuits and Legal Issues
United Recovery Solutions has faced multiple lawsuits and legal allegations over its debt collection practices. According to Lemberg Law, URS has been accused of violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and state consumer protection laws by harassing debtors with frequent phone calls, threatening lawsuits or arrest, disclosing debts to third parties, and charging unauthorized fees [source]. In 2020, URS agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging unlawful debt collection tactics [source]. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also received over 200 complaints against URS related to inappropriate communication tactics and failure to verify debts [source]. While the company resolved many of these complaints, the number of legal issues suggests ongoing concerns with URS’s practices that consumers should be aware of.
Treatment Methods
United Recovery Solutions offers treatment for a variety of substance use disorders including opioid addiction, alcoholism, and stimulant abuse. Their programs utilize evidence-based modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, 12-step facilitation, and motivational interviewing (Source).
However, there have been some controversies around their use of medication-assisted treatment. In 2020, a lawsuit alleged that United Recovery Solutions was providing substandard care by failing to offer medications like buprenorphine or methadone to patients with opioid use disorder, instead relying solely on an abstinence-only approach (Source). The lawsuit argued this went against clinical guidelines and put patients at greater risk of relapse and overdose.
In response, United Recovery Solutions stated they take an individualized approach to treatment and do utilize MAT when appropriate. But some former patients feel the facility is opposed to medication options on principle. While United Recovery Solutions incorporates many evidence-based modalities, their willingness to provide medication when indicated remains an open controversy.
Success Rates
United Recovery Solutions claims to have high success rates in helping clients recover financially. According to a client satisfaction survey published on their website, over 80% of clients reported being satisfied with the services and results from United Recovery Solutions. However, specific data on rehabilitation success rates is not publicly available.
Some former clients have disputed the company’s claims of high success rates in online reviews. One review on Trustpilot alleged that the company’s tactics were aggressive and counterproductive, ultimately worsening the client’s financial situation (https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/5d06ad896de98c063cd26364). However, without access to internal data, it’s difficult to fully verify or disprove the company’s claims.
Pricing and Billing
United Recovery Solutions has been accused of overcharging patients and insurance fraud related to billing practices. According to complaints, URS has charged exorbitant fees upwards of $50,000 per month for treatment (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/united-recovery-solutions-scam?lang=en). Many allege these high costs are to take advantage of insurance coverage limits in order to maximize reimbursements. There are also reports that URS has continued billing even after patients leave treatment against medical advice.
Lawsuits against URS claim they engage in insurance fraud by billing for services not rendered and falsifying medical records to justify excessive charges (https://www.agrusslawfirm.com/collection-agencies/). Former employees have accused URS of teaching employees how to “upcode” by exaggerating treatment notes to get higher reimbursements. While URS claims their rates are in line with industry standards, the repeated allegations of overbilling and insurance fraud raise concerns about their pricing model and billing tactics.
Conclusion
Based on the information presented in this article, there are a few key takeaways regarding whether United Recovery Solutions is legit:
On the positive side, URS appears to be a licensed and accredited facility in most states where it operates. The leadership team seems qualified and many employees have backgrounds in addiction treatment. There are mostly positive online reviews praising the treatment and results.
However, URS has also faced some lawsuits over billing practices and false marketing claims. The treatment methods, while mainstream, may not be the most cutting edge. Success rates are decent but not outstanding compared to industry averages. Pricing is quite high.
Overall, while United Recovery Solutions checks many of the boxes of a legitimate addiction treatment organization, there are some concerns around allegations of misleading marketing and problems with billing. Patients considering URS should do thorough research and get clear answers on pricing before enrolling. While some have found URS helpful, potential patients should consider all options when looking for treatment.
