The Attorney General of Minnesota on Friday announced a series of new steps to demonstrate his “renewed focus” on medical billing, while also announcing an investigation into a healthcare facility that was reportedly canceling appointments for patients that had unpaid medical debts.
“The high cost of healthcare in Minnesota and across the country makes it tough enough to afford your life. Medical-billing practices that are aggressive, abusive, or deceptive also make it hard to live with the dignity, safety, and respect that everyone is entitled to,” said Attorney General Keith Ellison in a statement. “The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has long been concerned with medical billing and has acted for years to protect Minnesotans from abusive and deceptive practices. With recent reports in the media and from consumers that problems continue, we’re taking several steps to renew our focus on this longstanding concern.”
Among the initiatives the AG’s office announced are:
- “Listening” sessions this Wednesday in St. Paul and next month in Rochester where consumers will have the chance to share their medical billing experiences with representatives from the AG’s office
- The creation of an online form that consumers can use to submit their experience if they are unable to attend the meeting
- Medical billing will be the theme of the AG’s booth at the Minnesota State Fair
Ellison also announced that his office is investigating Allina Health, which was called out in June for canceling appointments for patients carrying more than $4,500 in unpaid medical debts. The company later rescinded the policy.
“Denying patients needed care on the basis of medical debt harms every Minnesotan, whether or not they are Allina patients,” Ellison said in a statement.
