Patient Refunds
State Laws on Provider Credit Balance Refunds
Four states now legally require providers to refund overpayments within 30 days, and federal Medicare rules take effect in 2025.
September 29, 2026
Patient Refunds
Overpayments, duplicate payments and refunds owed back to patients, including refund programs following settlements and enforcement actions.
Patient Refunds
How Long Providers Have to Issue a Refund
The refund timeline depends on how you paid, what type of refund you're seeking, and your state's laws—most of which apply to credit card…
September 28, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds When Auto Insurance Covers a Bill
When auto insurance issues a check for more than your actual costs, returning overpayments avoids fraud charges and policy cancellation—but direct repair programs can…
September 27, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds When Workers Comp Covers a Bill
Workers injured on the job can get reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical bills once their claim is approved if they submit proof of payment and…
September 27, 2026
Patient Refunds
Coordination of Benefits Refunds (Two Plans)
When two health plans both pay without coordinating, you may be owed a refund within 30–60 days under state law.
September 26, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds When Insurance Pays After You Did
Insurance can reimburse out-of-pocket medical payments, but deadlines are strict and deductibles still apply—file within 90 days to avoid permanent denial.
September 25, 2026
Patient Refunds
Prepayment Refunds for Elective Surgery
Few states require prepayment refunds for elective surgery; know your state's law and what costs your provider will deduct.
September 24, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds for Cancelled Procedures
Providers who cancel procedures must refund payment within 7-14 days, but patient cancellations within 48 hours may forfeit part or all of your payment.
September 21, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds After a Billing Code Correction
When a billing code is corrected, government overpayments must be refunded within 60 days; patient overpayments follow state law timelines of typically 30 days.
September 21, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds for Services Never Rendered
Federal law gives you 60 days to dispute a medical charge for a service never rendered, and can force providers to refund without asking.
September 20, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds When a Bill Is Reclassified as Preventive
You're entitled to a refund when insurance misclassifies preventive care as diagnostic—and you have multiple ways to recover it.
September 19, 2026
Patient Refunds
Refunds After Retroactive Charity Care Approval
Get back money you paid on hospital bills by applying for retroactive charity care—most hospitals allow applications up to 240 days later.
September 17, 2026