Pennsylvania prohibits reporting patient medical debt to credit agencies. The debt is voided if a medical debt is reported in violation of Pennsylvania law.

Patients in Pennsylvania have protections against bills for ground ambulance services beyond protections under the federal No Surprises Act.

Pennsylvania hospitals must expressly notify patients before sending a bill to collections or selling debt to a third party. Third parties acquiring hospital debt may not charge interest or fees on the debt.

Only 30% of the hospitals in Pennsylvania are compliant with the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule requiring hospitals to publish their prices, according to an independent audit. If you received a bill from a non-compliant hospital, that can be a reason to dispute the bill.

7% of people in Pennsylvania report having medical debt in a given year, on average.

The average hospital in Pennsylvania charges 5 times what it costs to render the services. That means for every $100 in cost, it bills $510, of which $410 is profit.

NO SURPRISE BILLING
The No Surprises Act protects people using insurance from receiving surprise medical bills when they receive most emergency services, non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and services from out-of-network air ambulance service providers.

GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE
A medical provider must issue a Good Faith Estimate in advance of services to a patient not using insurance. The Good Faith Estimate is a disclosure of expected services to be rendered and their charges.

BALANCE BILLING - EMERGENCY
A provider may not bill an insured patient for emergency services above the in-network payment responsibilities (coinsurance, deductible, copayment) under insurance benefits.

BALANCE BILLING - AT AN IN NETWORK FACILITY
For services an insured patient receives while visiting a participating hospital or facility, a provider may not bill the patient above the in-network payment responsibilities (coinsurance, deductible, copayment) under insurance benefits.

COLLECTIONS PROTECTIONS
The three nationwide credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – do not include medical debts (1) below $500, or (2) less than a year old on consumer credit reports.