Consumer-protection laws specific to New York 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.Y. Fin. Serv. Law § 603 (Out-of-Network Surprise-Bill Protection)
New York prohibits surprise out-of-network bills for emergency services and for non-emergency services received at in-network facilities. Patients sign an Assignment of Benefits form and owe only the in-network cost-share; the dispute moves to Independent Dispute Resolution between provider and insurer.
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.Y. Pub. Health Law § 2807-k (Hospital Financial Assistance)
New York hospitals receiving Indigent Care Pool funding must provide discounted or free care to patients earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level. Patients earning 300-500% may qualify for sliding-scale discounts.
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.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 380-j(f) (Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act)
New York prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt on consumer credit reports. Effective March 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.