Know your rights as a patient in Indiana. 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 118 hospitals in Indiana.
Indiana hospitals charge an average of 4.9× their actual costs. The average hospital stay is billed at $188,900, while the actual cost is $38,900. Compare prices at specific hospitals →
The federal No Surprises Act protects all Indiana patients, regardless of state laws:
HB 1004 — Surprise Billing Protections (2021) protects Indiana 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 HB 1004 — Surprise Billing Protections to dispute any balance bill.
Under Indiana Hospital Care for the Indigent Program & Federal 501(r), hospitals in Indiana must provide financial assistance to qualifying patients.
Income threshold: Varies by hospital (HIP covers up to 138% FPL)
Indiana has a 6-year statute of limitations on written contracts (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9). 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 Indiana. 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 Indiana 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.
Indiana has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (Ind. Code § 34-11-2-9). After 6 years from the date of last payment, creditors cannot sue you to collect the debt.
Yes. HB 1004 (2021) protects Indiana 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 Indiana Plan (HIP) is Indiana's Medicaid expansion program covering adults aged 19-64 with incomes up to 138% FPL. Members use a POWER Account (similar to an HSA) and receive comprehensive health coverage.
Yes, after a court judgment. Indiana allows garnishment of up to 25% of disposable earnings. Your primary residence is protected up to $22,750 in equity under Indiana's homestead exemption.
Contact the Indiana Department of Insurance at 317-232-2385 for insurance complaints. For billing fraud, contact the Indiana 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.
📞 1-317-232-2385
File a complaint →For deceptive billing practices, fraud, or consumer protection violations.
File a complaint →Compare prices at 118 hospitals across Indiana. Click any hospital to see their procedure prices and negotiated rates.
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