Connecticut Doctors Lead in Suing Patients Over Medical Bills, Surpassing Hospitals
In Connecticut, a significant shift has occurred in the realm of medical debt collection. While many hospital systems have ceased suing patients over unpaid bills due to criticism of aggressive collection tactics, doctors and other non-hospital healthcare providers have taken the lead in filing lawsuits. According to a Connecticut Mirror-KFF Health News investigation, these providers now account for over 80% of healthcare-related collection cases in the state, a stark contrast to five years ago when hospitals dominated such actions. The lawsuits, often for amounts less than $3,000, can have devastating effects on patients, leading to garnished wages and liens on homes. This shift moves collections into a less regulated area, as non-hospital providers are not bound by the same federal regulations as tax-exempt hospitals. 
