Know your rights as a patient in Michigan. From surprise billing protections to financial assistance programs, here's what the law says about your medical bills.
Based on CMS cost report data from 127 hospitals in Michigan.
Michigan hospitals charge an average of 3.0× their actual costs. The average hospital stay is billed at $158,400, while the actual cost is $52,800. Compare prices at specific hospitals →
The federal No Surprises Act protects all Michigan patients, regardless of state laws:
Public Act 263 — Surprise Medical Billing Protections (2020) protects Michigan patients from unexpected out-of-network medical bills.
If you receive a surprise out-of-network bill, you are not responsible for the balance beyond what you'd pay for in-network care. Contact your insurer and reference the Public Act 263 — Surprise Medical Billing Protections to dispute any balance bill.
Under Michigan Hospital Finance Authority Act & Federal 501(r), hospitals in Michigan must provide financial assistance to qualifying patients.
Income threshold: Varies by hospital (Medicaid covers up to 138% FPL)
Michigan has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (MCL § 600.5807). This applies to written contracts. After 6 years, creditors cannot sue to collect.
After 6 years, creditors cannot sue you to collect medical debt in Michigan. The clock starts from the date of your last payment or acknowledgment of the debt.
Beyond surprise billing and financial assistance, federal and state law provide these important protections.
Uninsured or self-pay patients can request a good faith estimate of charges before receiving care. If the final bill exceeds the estimate by $400 or more, you can dispute it through the federal process.
You have the right to an itemized bill showing each charge. Review it carefully — billing errors are found in up to 80% of hospital bills according to industry estimates.
Since 2021, all hospitals must publish their standard charges and negotiated rates online. Use Taven's price comparison tool to see how Michigan hospitals compare.
Hospitals must offer reasonable payment plans before pursuing collections. Ask about interest-free options and negotiate monthly payment amounts based on your income.
Michigan has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (MCL § 600.5807). After 6 years from the date of last payment, creditors cannot sue you to collect the debt.
Yes. Public Act 263 (2020) protects patients from surprise out-of-network bills for emergency services and ancillary services at in-network facilities. The federal No Surprises Act adds further protections.
The Healthy Michigan Plan is Michigan's Medicaid expansion program covering adults aged 19-64 with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $20,783 for an individual in 2026). It covers hospital care, prescriptions, and more.
Yes, but only after obtaining a court judgment. Michigan law exempts a portion of your wages from garnishment (up to 25% of disposable earnings, with protections for low-income workers).
Contact the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) at 1-877-999-6442 or file online. For billing fraud, contact the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
If a hospital or insurance company is violating your rights, you can file a formal complaint.
For insurance-related complaints: claim denials, balance billing, network issues.
📞 1-877-999-6442
File a complaint →For deceptive billing practices, fraud, or consumer protection violations.
File a complaint →Compare prices at 127 hospitals across Michigan. Click any hospital to see their procedure prices and negotiated rates.
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