BETHESDA, Md. – The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) has reached a settlement with the state to resolve concerns that patients were not adequately informed about outpatient facility fees charged before July 1, 2021. Attorney General Anthony Brown announced Friday that UMMS will pay $2,251,781.52 in restitution to affected patients.
Background on the Facility‑Fee Right‑to‑Know Act
Maryland’s Facility Fee Right‑to‑Know Act took effect on July 1, 2021. The law requires health‑care providers to give clear, written notice of any facility fees that will be added to a patient’s bill for outpatient services. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division said the agency received complaints that UMMS clinics failed to meet those notice standards for fees assessed before the law’s effective date.
Settlement terms
While UMMS denied the allegations that patients were inadequately informed, the system agreed to the restitution amount to avoid prolonged litigation. The $2.25 million will be distributed directly to patients who paid out‑of‑pocket for facility fees at certain UMMS hospital clinics before the July 2021 deadline. Eligible claimants can expect to receive a refund check from UMMS within the next six months.
Attorney General’s response
Attorney General Brown said the settlement demonstrates the state’s commitment to protecting Maryland consumers from hidden health‑care costs. “Maryland families deserve transparency when they seek medical care,” Brown said. “This agreement ensures that patients who were overcharged receive the restitution they are owed, and it reinforces the importance of clear fee disclosures for all health‑care providers.”
What patients should do
Patients who believe they were billed for a facility fee before July 1, 2021 and did not receive proper notice are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 410‑576‑6456 or via email at [email protected] for more information about filing a claim.
Impact on the community
The settlement underscores the importance of transparency in health‑care billing, a concern for families across Maryland who rely on clear cost information to make informed decisions. By holding a major health system accountable, the state aims to protect consumers and encourage other providers to adhere strictly to the notice requirements established by the Right‑to‑Know Act.
UMMS has indicated it will continue to review its billing practices to ensure compliance with state law moving forward. The settlement does not affect the quality of care provided at UMMS facilities, and patients can continue to seek services with the confidence that future fee disclosures will meet legal standards.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
