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Patient defense kit

The rules are on your side.

Federal law gives patients specific, usable rights over medical bills. Each tool below names the authority it rests on and links to the government page that publishes it.

Where Unbill comes in

Knowing the rules is half the battle. Unbill automatically builds, cites, and files your statutory disputes grounded directly in federal law and hospital chargemaster records, giving your appeals undeniable leverage even when billing departments push back.

Federal Tax Code: 26 U.S.C. § 501(r)

IRS Section 501(r) Charity Care

Non-profit 501(c)(3) hospitals must maintain a financial assistance policy. Explains how eligibility is commonly set against the Federal Poverty Level and the 240-day period during which a facility must still accept an application.

Why this matters for your bill

If a non-profit hospital billed you, the bill you were sent may not be the bill you actually owe. Applying can reduce the balance to a fraction of it, or to nothing, and the hospital has to keep accepting applications for 240 days after your first statement.

Open the IRS 501(r) guidance
Federal Law: 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-111

No Surprises Act Balance-Billing Protection

Protects patients from surprise out-of-network bills for emergency services, post-stabilization care, and non-emergency care delivered by out-of-network clinicians at an in-network facility.

Why this matters for your bill

This is the rule that turns a surprise five-figure out-of-network bill into your normal in-network cost share. If it applies, the balance is the plan's problem to settle with the provider, not yours to pay.

Read the CMS consumer guide
Regulation: 45 CFR § 149.610

Good Faith Estimate for Self-Pay & Uninsured

If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket, providers must give you a written estimate before scheduled care. If the final bill exceeds it by $400 or more, a federal patient-provider dispute resolution process is available.

Why this matters for your bill

Your written estimate is leverage. If the final bill comes in $400 or more above it, you are not arguing about fairness — you have a specific federal process to point at.

Understand costs in advance
Federal Labor Law: 29 U.S.C. § 1133 / 29 CFR 2560.503-1

ERISA § 503 Claims Procedure & Full Record Access

If your coverage comes through a private employer plan, you have a right to a full and fair review, defined appeal response deadlines, and access to the internal claim file free of charge.

Why this matters for your bill

Denials are easier to overturn once you can see the criteria used against you. The claim file tells you what rule was applied and who applied it, which is usually where an appeal actually gets won.

Read the ERISA claims regulation
Federal Consumer Law: 15 U.S.C. § 1692g

FDCPA 30-Day Debt Validation

Within 30 days of a debt collector's first notice, a written dispute requires them to stop collection until they mail verification of the debt.

Why this matters for your bill

A written dispute in the first 30 days stops collection until the agency proves the debt is real and is yours. Medical debt gets sold with bad data constantly, and this is the fastest way to make someone check.

Read the CFPB debt validation guide

For partners

For Self-Funded Employers & Benefits Advisors

Pair automated statutory bill audits with employee advocacy to capture measurable claims savings with zero HR friction. Integrated over standard EDI 835 rails.