Know your rights as a patient in Vermont. 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 6 hospitals in Vermont.
Vermont hospitals charge an average of 1.9× their actual costs. The average hospital stay is billed at $95,000, while the actual cost is $50,000. Compare prices at specific hospitals →
The federal No Surprises Act protects all Vermont patients, regardless of state laws:
Act 53 — Surprise Billing Protections (2019) — Vermont Act 53 (2019) provides strong protections against surprise 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 Act 53 — Surprise Billing Protections (2019) to dispute any balance bill.
Under Federal 501(r) & Vermont Medicaid (Green Mountain Care), hospitals in Vermont must provide financial assistance to qualifying patients.
Income threshold: Varies by hospital (Green Mountain Care covers up to 138% FPL)
Vermont has a 6-year statute of limitations on written contracts. Medical debt falls under this limit. After 6 years, creditors cannot sue to collect.
After 6 years, creditors cannot sue you to collect medical debt in Vermont. 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 Vermont 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.
Vermont has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (12 V.S.A. § 511). After 6 years, creditors cannot sue you to collect.
Yes. Act 53 (2019) provides strong protections against surprise out-of-network bills, and Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board regulates hospital pricing.
The Green Mountain Care Board is a unique Vermont agency that regulates hospital budgets, reviews insurance rates, and oversees healthcare costs — providing pricing protections not found in most other states.
Yes, after a court judgment. Vermont allows garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings. Your home is protected up to $125,000.
Contact the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation at 802-828-3301 for insurance complaints. For billing fraud, contact the Vermont Attorney General.
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.
📞 1-802-828-3301
File a complaint →For deceptive billing practices, fraud, or consumer protection violations.
File a complaint →Compare prices at 6 hospitals across Vermont. Click any hospital to see their procedure prices and negotiated rates.
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