As Miami’s healthcare system continues to expand, residents face a complex network of providers and facilities. The city is home to leading institutions like Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, boasting 12 hospitals and over 27,000 employees. Despite such robust infrastructure, many patients encounter challenges, particularly concerning unexpected medical bills and opaque pricing structures.
Florida ranks among the top states for surprise medical bills and other unfair billing practices. In response, Patient Fairness, a company dedicated to assisting patients in disputing unjust medical charges, prioritized Florida, including Miami, during its initial launch. Founder Matthew Ungs emphasizes the company’s commitment: “Patient Fairness is focused on helping our customers to get fair treatment in medical billing by offering tools, guidance, and support to patients to dispute problem medical bills so to reduce or eliminate what is owed.”
The healthcare market in Florida, particularly in South Florida, is highly consolidated, with a few powerful health systems dominating the scene. This concentration often leads to aggressive billing practices. Ungs notes, “South Florida, especially, has the reputation for having many physician practices and other providers who aggressively bill and try to collect from both insurers and patients.” Such an environment makes it challenging for patients to navigate billing disputes independently.
While state agencies like the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) play a crucial role in administering Medicaid and overseeing healthcare facilities, Patient Fairness offers a specialized service. Ungs clarifies, “Patient Fairness assists persons to dispute medical bills that are unfair or which they otherwise do not think they owe. We serve both insured and uninsured patients, but not those with government insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.” This distinction highlights the company’s focus on a broad patient demographic, excluding those covered by government programs.
In 2024, Medicare fraud emerged as a significant issue in Florida, exacerbating concerns about medical billing practices. Ungs advises patients to act promptly when they receive a medical bill they perceive as unfair or potentially illegal. He recommends utilizing Patient Fairness’s Problem Medical Bill Assessment, which helps identify potential issues to raise in a dispute. “Rather than focusing on what someone may overlook about a problem medical bill, my suggestion is for an average person to act as soon as he or she receives a medical bill he or she thinks is unfair or may be illegal,” Ungs advises.
To enhance user experience, Patient Fairness has introduced features that streamline the dispute process. One notable innovation allows customers to upload photos or images of their medical bills and related documents, enabling the company to extract relevant information without requiring manual data entry. Ungs explains, “That saves our customer time, and can avoid confusion on what information we need.” Such improvements aim to make the platform more accessible and user-friendly.
The most prevalent issue Patient Fairness encountered over the past year involved patients receiving bills without prior knowledge of the services and prices charged, or instances where providers billed more than initially indicated. Ungs emphasizes the importance of transparency in medical transactions, stating, “Patients are consumers, but many providers treat them like piggy banks from which they can extract money through medical bills without getting patients’ advance agreement on specific services and prices.” This lack of transparency underscores the need for services like Patient Fairness.
Looking ahead, Ungs advocates for legislative changes that recognize patients’ rights as consumers, emphasizing the necessity for mutual agreement between patients and providers regarding services and pricing. He suggests that the law should always recognize that the patient and provider are equal parties in a transaction, and both must agree on terms and prices. Such reforms could further protect patients from unfair billing practices.
Understanding that some patients may hesitate to engage with Patient Fairness due to uncertainty about the value of the services, the company offers a satisfaction guarantee and a low initial payment. Ungs details, “Patient Fairness initially charges only $49 towards the fee to open a medical dispute case. We charge any remaining balance left on the fee 60 days after the case is opened.” This approach allows customers to assess the service without significant financial commitment, fostering trust and confidence in the process.
As Miami residents navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, organizations like Patient Fairness provide essential support in advocating for patients’ rights and ensuring fair billing practices. By offering tools, guidance, and a commitment to transparency, Patient Fairness empowers individuals to challenge unjust medical bills, promoting a more equitable healthcare landscape in the region.
