Consumer-protection laws specific to New Jersey medical bills. Federal laws (No Surprises Act, FDCPA) also apply on top of these.
42 U.S.C. § 300gg-111 (No Surprises Act)
Federal law (effective January 1, 2022) prohibits surprise out-of-network bills for emergency services, air ambulance services, and most non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Patients owe no more than the in-network cost-share. Providers and insurers must resolve payment disputes through Independent Dispute Resolution, not by billing the patient.
Read the statuteN.J.S.A. 26:2SS-1 et seq. (Out-of-Network Consumer Protection Act)
New Jersey prohibits balance billing for emergency services and inadvertent out-of-network services at in-network facilities. Patients owe only the in-network cost-share; providers and insurers settle the remainder through state-administered arbitration.
Read the statute26 U.S.C. § 501(r) (Nonprofit Hospital Financial Assistance Requirement)
Federal law requires every nonprofit (501(c)(3)) hospital to maintain a written Financial Assistance Policy, publicize it widely, and screen all uninsured/underinsured patients for eligibility before sending unpaid bills to collections. Patients eligible for assistance cannot be charged more than the Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) to insured patients. Applies to roughly 3,000 nonprofit hospitals (about 58% of all US hospitals, 80% of beds).
Read the statuteN.J.S.A. 26:2H-18.59 et seq. (Hospital Care Payment Assistance)
New Jersey hospitals must provide free or discounted care to patients earning up to 300% of federal poverty level. Hospitals cannot send bills to collections without screening for charity care first.
Read the statute15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq. (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act)
Federal law restricts how third-party debt collectors may contact consumers about medical or other debts. Consumers may demand written validation of any debt within 30 days of first contact; collectors must cease communication if requested in writing; harassment, deception, and unfair practices are prohibited.
Read the statuteN.J.A.C. 8:43G-4.1(a)(20) (Hospital Patient Bill of Rights)
New Jersey hospitals must provide an itemized statement of all charges to the patient or responsible party upon request. The statement must be in plain, understandable language.
Read the statuteN.J.S.A. 56:11-28 et seq. (Louisa Carman Medical Debt Relief Act)
New Jersey prohibits credit reporting of medical debt and bars wage garnishment for medical debt. Effective July 22, 2024.
Read the statuteWhen you dispute a bill with Bursify, we draft the letter citing every statute on this page that applies to your situation, then send it via HIPAA-compliant fax or certified mail and track every response. Most other tools stop at the PDF.