News
New Research Examines Charity Care and Medical Debt Among Low-Wage Workers
Research shows 43% of low-wage workers with medical debt don't know their hospital offers financial assistance—even though federal law requires it.
October 16, 2026
News
Medical billing news: new state and federal laws, charity care rule changes, hospital settlements, enforcement actions and patient refund programs.
News
New York City Debt Collection Rules Add New Medical Debt Protections Starting September 1
New York's SHIELD rule bans medical debt reporting and strengthens verification rights starting January 2027.
October 16, 2026
News
Oklahoma City Church Campaign Helps Erase More Than $6.5 Million in Medical Debt
One Oklahoma church raised $25,000 to erase $6.5 million in medical debt for families across four counties, using a nonprofit model other communities can…
October 15, 2026
News
Cuyahoga County Campaign Erases $1.3 Million in Medical Debt for More Than 1,100 Residents
A Cuyahoga County campaign erased $1.3 million in medical debt for 1,148 residents through a youth-led fundraising effort and Undue Medical Debt.
October 15, 2026
News
Minnesota Hospital Merger Agreement Requires Sanford and North Memorial to Maintain Charity Care
Sanford must maintain North Memorial's charity care programs and trauma services for 10 years under a state-enforced oversight agreement.
October 14, 2026
News
Labcorp Settlement Adds New Safeguards for Data Shared With Medical Debt Collectors
Labcorp must now require debt collectors to separate patient data, meet cybersecurity standards, and submit to audits following a major 2019 breach.
October 14, 2026
News
Patients Who Appeal Health Insurance Denials Often Win, New Data Show
Roughly 81% of appealed Medicare Advantage denials are overturned—but fewer than 12% of denials are appealed.
October 13, 2026
News
UnitedHealthcare Drops Prior Authorization Requirements for More Services Starting October 1
UnitedHealthcare eliminates prior authorization for 1,700 procedure codes starting October 1, 2026, speeding approvals for surgery, imaging, and orthopedic procedures.
October 10, 2026
News
Aetna to Streamline Cancer Prior Authorizations Across More Health Plans in 2027
Aetna is consolidating cancer prior authorizations from four requests into one, with rollout to Medicare and commercial members starting in early 2027.
October 10, 2026
News
Memphis Approves $17 Million in Medical Debt Relief for More Than 12,000 Residents
Memphis residents at or near poverty will receive notices of eliminated medical debt—no applications, no action required.
October 6, 2026
News
Orange County Adds $2 Million to Medical Debt Relief Program After Erasing More Than $637 Million
Orange County's $637 million medical debt elimination program works automatically—you don't need to apply or do anything.
October 6, 2026
News
Washington State Now Requires a 120-Day Wait Before Medical Debt Can Be Sent to Collections
Washington's 120-day protection delays collection agency sale, and medical debt cannot be reported to credit bureaus under state law.
October 4, 2026