Arizona’s attorney general announced that outpatient medical imaging provider SimonMed has agreed to a settlement that resolves an investigation into its billing practices, such as upfront payment policies and delayed refunds.
“When a medical provider demands an upfront payment, the provider must refund any overpayments within a reasonable time period,” said Kris Mayes, in a January 20 statement.
In its complaint, the state alleged that SimonMed failed to issue refunds for overpayments within a reasonable time period, with some consumers not receiving a refund for over a year following service.
Corrective measures SimonMed will undertake include issuing refunds within an average of 60 days of adjudication of the consumer’s claim through insurance. The company will also pay $50,000 in civil penalties, $20,000 in restitution, and $20,000 in costs and fees.
