The No Surprise Act went into effect on January 1, 2022 and it should give consumers new federal protections from unexpected medical bills from an emergency room visit or other out-of-network charge.

Watch here to see Peter Holland speak about why medical debt should be treated differently than other debt.

In many cases, the out-of-network provider could bill consumers for the difference between the charges the provider billed, and the amount paid by the consumer’s health plan. This is known as balance billing. An unexpected balance bill is called a surprise bill. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, one in five emergency visits result in the patient being inadvertently treated by out-of-network emergency rooms or providers.

We have had many clients approach us to help them when they have been sued for medical debt. Contact us, we can help!

Read More in HLF Blog: Medical Debt Collection:

Am I Being Harassed?

Emanwel Turnbull Scores Major Win for Maryland Consumers!

On January 6, 2022 Maryland's Court of Special Appeals weighed in on one of our cases, and we scored a resounding victory for the rights of residential tenants in Maryland.

The court held that certain companies that prepare and file lawsuits on behalf of landlords are in fact "debt collectors" and therefore they must hold a debt collection license in order to file eviction cases and engage in debt collection activities.

We are asking the court to certify the case as a class action, and we are seeking damages for violations of the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act and the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.

From the court's written decision: “Because we conclude that eWrit's actions did indeed constitute debt collection activity, eWrit was required to possess a debt collection license, and the circuit court erred in dismissing the complaint. Accordingly, we reverse.”

LESLIE WILLIAMS v. EWRIT FILINGS, LLC, No. 206, Sept. Term,2021, 2022 WL 221683, at *10 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. Jan. 26, 2022).