The Growing Problem of Consumer Medical Debt: Sources & Solution

Partner Lawrence Vernaglia is speaking at the Boston Bar Association’s (BBA) The Growing Problem of Consumer Medical Debt: Sources & Solution on September 25, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in Boston, Massachusetts.

Medical debt is a growing problem among consumers and providers, and remains one of the major reasons behind consumer bankruptcies. This program will explore the numerous forces that continue to drive this phenomenon as well as the local and national issues that contribute to the problem. Attendees will learn the legal, regulator, and economic framework within which consumers, payors, and providers operate. Topics that will be covered include:

• Current sources of medical debt among consumers
• Factors that are driving this issue in MA and nationally:
  • High deductibles
  • Inadequate screening by providers
  • The chargemaster system
  • The economy
  • Payor contracts
  • Medicare compliance requirements
  • New health care credit products
  • The securitization of medical debt
  • The growth of consumer driven health care
• Regulatory framework currently in place:
  • DHCFP regulations on credit collection policies
  • AG’s and FTC ‘s rules on fair debt collection practices
  • Provider and payor regulations
• Solutions to address current and future strategies for fixing the problem:
  • Legal theories and strategies employed by advocates
  • Challenging unfair billing practices
  • Identifying third party payors
  • Negotiating discounts
  • Using Chapter 93A and other consumer protection laws
  • The hospital accountability project currently in play in Massachusetts

For more information, please visit the BBA’s Web site.