South Shore Anesthesia Associates To Settle Unfair Billing Claims

WEYMOUTH, MA — South Shore Anesthesia Associates (SSAA), an anesthesia and pain management car provider in Weymouth, will pay $260,000 to settle allegations of "surprise billing" practices, said Attorney General Maura Healey in a news release Wednesday.

In an assurance of discontinuance filed on Tuesday, SSAA settled Healey's allegations that it violated the state consumer protection law by failing to disclose to some patients that they were out of network with those patients' heal plans and seeking high charges from the patients.

“Massachusetts residents have a right to transparency when it comes to their health care and should not be subjected to surprise billing practices when seeking medical care,” said Healey in a statement. “Health care providers should take the appropriate steps to provide consumers with adequate information to allow them to make informed health care decisions and avoid unexpected charges.”

The settlement is the result of an investigation initiated by Healy after receiving consumer complaints from people who sought care at South Shore Hospital. After receiving a bill, the patients found out SSA, South Shore Hospital's anesthesia provider, was out of network.

SSAA ceased its practice in June 2020 and is in the process of closing. As part of the settlement, the company has agreed to do the following:

• stop billing for and collecting on any remaining balances for patient accounts involving out of network services or uninsured patients, and forgive the debts incurred by such patients;
• inform any outside collection agencies it has used that debts incurred by these patients have been satisfied; and
• take all necessary steps to have these patients’ accounts removed from any applicable credit report and credit reporting agency.

If consumers have questions or concerns about their health insurance claims or medical bills, they can call (888) 830-6277 or file a complaint here.