Medical Billing Attorney in Long Island

Easing the Stress Associated with Medical Debt

When you receive medical treatment, you expect the administrative office to manage the billing appropriately. They should run all necessary procedures through your insurance, and your insurance should, in turn, cover everything according to your policy. You are given a final bill for your treatment, and you pay it off. The story should end there, but when it doesn't, a medical billing lawyer may be the best solution for the resulting problems.

Speak with an Attorney Before Doing Anything Else!

Often, however, you find surprise bills in your mailbox weeks or months later. Do not pay any of these expenses. Contact us first for a free consultation. At the Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C., our Long Island medical debt defense lawyer knows your rights.

Our firm can investigate the validity of these unexpected bills. We can craft your response letter, helping ensure that you pay only what you expected. Taking the matter completely out of your hands, we can help you rest easy. 

Types of Medical Bills You Might Receive

Surprise Medical Bills

Surprise bills expect you to pay for the following:

• Partial Payment of Services Rendered, even though you should have been covered
• Full Payment of Services Rendered, even though you should have been covered
• “Balance Billing” – this is when the healthcare provider claims that insurance did not pay your bill in full. Therefore, it charges you the difference.

Unexpected Medical Bills

Below are some examples of unexpected medical bills that you may receive:

• Collection Letter Medical Bills/Medical Debt – Do not pay or speak to any collection agencies, debt buyers, collection attorneys, or third-party collectors. Reach out to a Long Island medical bill debt attorney instead.
• Surprise Medical Bills/Medical Debt –  We've represented individuals and families who have received “surprise bills” for services that should have been covered under their health care plan. If the provider is coming after you for payment, do not pay! Talk to a medical billing advocate today.
• Emergency Service Medical Bills/Medical Debt: If you have received an emergency service bill for emergency services that should have been covered by your health care plan, call our office to explore your rights. Our law firm has successfully collected money for our clients and extinguished their debt by bringing several affirmative action against the healthcare provider and third-party collection agencies in both State and Federal Court for violations under both Federal and New York State Law. Click here to see success stories.
• Lawsuits Seeking Collection of Medical Bills/Debt: If you received a lawsuit, just been served, or are involved in litigation whereby a healthcare provider or debt buyer is seeking reimbursement regarding alleged unpaid medical bills and debt, contact us to represent you. You are not alone.
• Doctor/Hospital Seeking Difference in Fee Schedule Reimbursed: If you have insurance and the healthcare provider is now seeking reimbursement for the difference and payment balance, contact us first before paying anything.
• Denial of Medical Treatment: Our firm represents patients and individuals in appeals to have insurance companies cover healthcare and emergency services, rather than putting the burden on you. There are many steps that we can take which may result in saving you thousands of dollars. These steps include:
  • Detecting errors in medical bills and correct overcharges or duplicative billing practices
  • Making sure that the medical services are billed at the fair and reasonable prices as dictated by the law
  • Appealing denials that have been made by your insurance company
  • Defending unpaid medical bills in court or hearings
  • Representing cases of denial of medical treatment
  • Handling internal appeals and Article 78 proceedings

No matter the type of healthcare invoice, we will help you dispute medical bills. Call (800) 242-3740 for the help of a medical billing lawyer!

Options for Resolving Medical Debt

Filing for Bankruptcy

If you are struggling against medical debt, you do have the option of filing for bankruptcy. Generally, the better option is Chapter 13 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy. These options allow you to pay the medical debt over a set period of time. Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also an option but is not typical due to debtors’ income and assets. Bankruptcy is not always the answer, however.

How to Fight a Medical Bill

Before fighting a medical bill with a lawsuit, it is important to fully understand the situation and ensure that there is an error. Mistakes do happen and it is possible that the person made a simple processing mistake

Research and Understand the Situation

If you are contacted by your medical provider’s billing department regarding a medical bill, be sure to take notes.

Make note of the following:

• Date and time of interaction
• First and last name of the person you spoke with
• Details of conversation
• Specific timelines regarding when something will be resolved and when you are supposed to follow up if you do not receive contact
• Take screenshots via your computer or mobile device
• Request forms in writing

If your investigation involves written correspondence, keep a copy of everything you send along with the proof of when it was mailed. Be sure to send documents via certified mail with a return receipt, which should be kept with your files.

Review Your Bill and Explanation of Benefits

Be sure to carefully read your explanation of benefits and your medical bill. Understanding your benefits and how it applies to your bill will help you identify any mistakes. Your medical bill should match your explanation of benefits exactly. If you see any discrepancies, then that is an error.

Request a Line-Item Bill

If you believe there is a problem with your medical bill, contact your healthcare provider’s billing department and ask for a detailed line-item bill. You may even be able to log into a portal to download this online and print it out.

What to look out for in a detailed medical line-item bill:

• Date and Time
• Medical billing CPT codes
• Descriptions
• Total prices
• Insurance adjustments
• Patient amount due

Contact the Medical Billing Department

When you identify the issue, reach out to the billing department and inquire regarding your bill. The representative will give you the option of disputing the bill. If the issue is simple, it is possible to fix it right then and there, however, not all medical debt matters are easy.

Choosing the Right Medical Debt Defense Lawyers

A Long Island medical bill lawyer like attorney Gregory A. Goodman can be an advocate for you. Backed by years of experience, he can take a look at your situation and guide you through wrongful billing. If a contract was not fulfilled completely, or if there was no informed consent, know that you have rights as a consumer. Let our seasoned medical debt collection defense attorney help you.

If you find yourself in a complex situation involving your medical provider and your bills, reach out to an experienced medical bill lawyer in Long Island at The Law Office of Gregory A. Goodman, P.C.