Indiana Medical Billing Rights & Protections
Everything you need to know about fighting unfair medical bills in Indiana. Learn your rights, understand state laws, and take action.
Surprise Bill Protection
State + Federal
Balance Billing
Prohibited
Charity Care Law
No State Law
Avg ER Cost
$2,200
Educational Content: This page provides general information about medical billing rights in Indiana. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney or patient advocate for your specific situation.
Indiana Medical Billing Laws
Indiana enacted HEA 1004 (2023) which prohibits balance billing for emergency services and for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. The law also prohibited facility fees at off-campus hospital outpatient departments for evaluation and management services, making Indiana one of the few states to address this controversial billing practice. Indiana expanded Medicaid through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0), which uses a unique model requiring members to contribute to a health savings account (POWER Account). The Indiana Department of Insurance handles complaints about insurance companies.
Indiana has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt under IC 34-11-2-7. The state expanded Medicaid through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0), covering adults up to 138% FPL with a unique health savings account model. Indiana follows federal credit reporting rules for medical debt. Indiana also prohibited facility fees for certain outpatient services at off-campus hospital locations.
Your Key Protections in Indiana
HEA 1004 prohibits balance billing for emergency and surprise out-of-network services
Facility fee prohibition for certain outpatient services at off-campus hospital locations
Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP 2.0) covers adults up to 138% FPL with POWER Account model
6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (IC 34-11-2-7)
Right to request itemized bills from all providers
Federal medical debt credit reporting protections
Indiana Department of Insurance investigates insurance complaints
How to Dispute a Medical Bill in Indiana
Request an itemized bill with all billing codes from the provider
Check if the bill includes prohibited facility fees for off-campus outpatient services under HEA 1004
Verify that no illegal balance billing has occurred for emergency or surprise out-of-network services
Compare charges against Medicare rates and fair price databases
Apply for the hospital's financial assistance program
Send a written dispute via certified mail to the billing department
File a complaint with the Indiana Department of Insurance at (317) 232-2385
Contact the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 382-5516
Important Deadlines in Indiana
6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (IC 34-11-2-7)
30 days to dispute a debt with a collector under the FDCPA
180 days for internal insurance appeals
1 year before medical debt appears on credit reports
Check HIP 2.0 eligibility for Medicaid coverage
Average Medical Costs in Indiana
Avg ER Visit
$2,200
Avg Urgent Care
$180
Median Income
$62,743
200% FPL (Single)
$31,280