Medical Debt and Your Rights

The Health Consumer Alliance is here to help you understand your medical bills and whether you can reduce your debt. 

You may not owe the full amount. It is important to understand your rights with medical debt and how to enforce those rights.

If you received a notice or letter from a hospital that included information about the Health Consumer Alliance, you have come to the right place.

You can call (888) 804-3536 and enter your zip code to be connected with a legal services program in your area that may be able to help you lower your bill. You can speak with an advocate for free.

Hospital Debt

Hospital debt can be complicated. A bill from an emergency room visit or hospital stay may involve charges from different providers, such as the hospital itself, doctor groups, and lab testing companies. We can help you understand your rights and possibly help you apply for programs to reduce or cancel your debt.
We can help with your medical debt! CALL 888-804-3536

Hospital Debt FAQ

Ambulance Debt

Many Californians are shocked by the high cost of their ambulance bills. Ambulance bills include charges for ground and air transportation services resulting from 911 emergency calls, transport between hospitals, and transport from hospitals back home. People usually cannot choose which ambulance company to pick them up.
We can help with your ambulance bill! CALL 888-804-3536

Ambulance Debt FAQ

Dental Debt

Dental insurance often does not cover all the costs of dental treatment that people need. For many Californians, this leads to signing up for credit cards and other types of loans at dental offices to pay for these costs. If you need help disputing your dental credit card bill, call us.
We can help with your dental debt and dental credit card bill! CALL 888-804-3536

Dental Debt FAQ

Debt Collection

If you find out, you have a judgment against you, and you would like to help to understand your options, call us right away. In California, debt collectors can add both attorney’s fees and costs and a 5–10% interest rate on top of the original amount billed for medical services. Judgments involving medical debt in California can last for 10 years and be renewed. The terms of renewal depend on the amount of the debt. The longer the judgment lasts, the more you may end up being responsible for paying.
We can help with your medical debt! CALL 888-804-3536

Debt Collection FAQ

 

Legal Aid was very helpful and understanding and comforting, which was a relief because the health plan could care less. It was nice to talk to someone who was willing to listen and help.

Consumer denied $35,000 in health coverage for maternity medical bills following the birth of their child.

HCA