Fighting Medical Overcharges in California
How California Patients Can Push Back Against Excessive and Inaccurate Medical Bills
The American health care system is one of the costliest in the world. Even with quality health insurance, many California residents still find themselves overwhelmed by medical bills they believed were covered. At The Law Offices of Ali Taheripour, we regularly hear from Californians who are dealing with unexpected charges, double billing, and aggressive collection tactics — sometimes years after receiving treatment.
Why Medical Billing Errors Happen
Insurance Company Disputes Leave Patients Stuck with the Bill
Attorney Ali Taheripour brings a unique perspective to this issue, having represented California hospitals in past disputes against insurers. He understands how an insurer might initially approve a claim only to deny a portion of it later, labeling it “unnecessary medical care” and unfairly shifting the burden onto the patient.
This insight into how California billing codes and systems work gives our office an edge when investigating and contesting overcharges. Mr. Taheripour is also skilled in challenging improper denials and navigating the complex appeal processes with insurers.
Ignoring Medical Bills Can Be Costly
Failing to respond promptly to billing disputes can lead to serious consequences:
- Transfer to debt collection agencies
- Multiple collection efforts for the same debt
- Threats of lawsuits
- Damaging entries on your credit report
In California, we’ve seen medical debts handed off to out-of-state collectors with their own account numbers, dates of service, and inflated balances — creating confusion and fear for the patient.
Step-by-Step Assistance for Disputing Medical Overcharges
At The Law Offices of Ali Taheripour, we take a strategic and detail-oriented approach to fight against medical overbilling and unlawful debt collection:
- Reviewing your medical records to confirm whether services were provided on the alleged date
- Contacting your health insurance provider to verify what was submitted and what was paid
- Examining billing codes and diagnoses to ensure accuracy
- Cross-referencing hospital (UB-92) bills with insurer records to spot inflated or fraudulent charges
- Ensuring improper debts don’t affect your credit by monitoring reporting to major bureaus
Negotiating and Reducing Valid Medical Debt
If you do owe money, that doesn’t mean you have to pay the full amount. Many medical providers in California are open to debt negotiations when presented with the right legal and factual arguments. In one case, we successfully resolved a nearly six-figure medical debt from a Los Angeles hospital for zero dollars, after identifying procedural violations by both the hospital and the debt collector.
Your Rights as a California Patient Matter
Whether you’re dealing with a hospital, insurance company, debt collector, or facing a lawsuit, The Law Offices of Ali Taheripour has your back. We advocate fiercely for patient rights across California.