New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday said her office's Health Care Helpline recovered more than $4.6 million in restitution and savings for New Yorkers over the past two years, assisting thousands of residents with health care disputes and insurance claims.
The Health Care Bureau’s Helpline, staffed by a team of advocates, handled more than 4,800 consumer complaints in 2023 and 2024, reversing wrongfully denied insurance claims, correcting billing errors and reinstating terminated health coverage, according to a press release.
The service operates under the Division for Social Justice, overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. It provided guidance to more than 2,000 additional consumers, helping them navigate complex health care concerns.
In a recently released report, the office said major cases and systemic issues identified through consumer complaints included a cancer patient who almost incurred $11,000 in medical bills after he lost his job and was misinformed about his health insurance status, and a homeless patient who was incorrectly billed over $1,000 after he was promised full financial assistance for hospital care.
James urged New Yorkers to contact the Helpline if they believe they have been wrongfully billed or denied necessary medical care. The service also assists in removing improper medical debts from credit reports.
“Whether it’s recovering thousands of dollars in wrongful medical charges, ensuring access to life-saving treatments, or holding companies accountable for deceptive practices, my office is committed to fighting for New York patients and protecting their rights," James said. "No one should have to battle insurance companies or medical providers alone."
Consumers can file complaints through an online form or call the toll-free Helpline at 1-800-428-9071 for assistance.
