Maryland Medical Billing Rights & Protections
Everything you need to know about fighting unfair medical bills in Maryland. Learn your rights, understand state laws, and take action.
Surprise Bill Protection
State + Federal
Balance Billing
Prohibited
Charity Care Law
Yes
Avg ER Cost
$2,500
Educational Content: This page provides general information about medical billing rights in Maryland. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney or patient advocate for your specific situation.
Maryland Medical Billing Laws
Maryland has a unique healthcare system. The Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) sets hospital rates for all payers — Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance all pay the same rates. This eliminates the dramatic price variation seen in other states. Maryland prohibits balance billing for emergency services and for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. The state requires all hospitals to have financial assistance policies and to provide free care to patients below certain income thresholds. Maryland's 3-year statute of limitations on medical debt is among the shortest in the nation. The Maryland Insurance Administration handles complaints about insurance companies, and the HSCRC handles complaints about hospital billing.
Maryland has some of the strongest medical debt protections in the nation. The statute of limitations on medical debt is 3 years under CJP Section 5-101, one of the shortest in the country. Maryland's unique all-payer hospital rate-setting system means hospital prices are regulated by the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC). The state requires hospitals to have financial assistance policies and limits collection practices.
Your Key Protections in Maryland
HSCRC all-payer rate-setting system regulates hospital prices for all payers
State law prohibits balance billing for emergency and surprise out-of-network services
Strong hospital financial assistance requirements with mandatory free care thresholds
Very short 3-year statute of limitations on medical debt (CJP Section 5-101)
Medicaid expansion covers adults up to 138% FPL
HSCRC handles hospital billing complaints
Maryland Insurance Administration handles insurance complaints
Hospital rates are the same for all payers — no surprise price variation
How to Dispute a Medical Bill in Maryland
Request an itemized bill with all billing codes from the provider
Check if the charges comply with HSCRC-approved rates — Maryland hospital prices are regulated
Verify that no illegal balance billing has occurred for emergency or surprise out-of-network services
Apply for the hospital's financial assistance program — Maryland has strong requirements
Send a written dispute via certified mail to the billing department
File a complaint with the HSCRC for hospital billing issues at (410) 764-2605
File a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration for insurance-related disputes at (800) 492-6116
Contact the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at (410) 528-8662
Important Deadlines in Maryland
3-year statute of limitations on medical debt — one of the shortest in the nation (CJP Section 5-101)
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
Average Medical Costs in Maryland
Avg ER Visit
$2,500
Avg Urgent Care
$210
Median Income
$90,203
200% FPL (Single)
$31,280