Know your rights as a patient in New Jersey. With the Out-of-Network Consumer Protection Act, a strong Charity Care program, and comprehensive consumer protections, New Jersey is a national leader in patient billing rights.
Based on CMS cost report data from 79 hospitals in New Jersey.
New Jersey hospitals charge an average of 6.0× their actual costs — one of the highest markup ratios in the country. A $10,000 procedure is billed at $60,000. This makes NJ's strong surprise billing protections especially important. Compare prices at specific hospitals →
The federal No Surprises Act supplements New Jersey's already strong state protections:
New Jersey's Out-of-Network Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 2018, c. 32), effective August 2018, is one of the strongest surprise billing laws in the country.
New Jersey has one of the strongest surprise billing laws in the nation. If you receive an out-of-network bill you didn't expect, you're likely protected. Reference the Out-of-Network Consumer Protection Act and contact the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance.
New Jersey's Charity Care program (NJ Hospital Care Payment Assistance) is one of the most comprehensive in the country.
Free care: Below 200% FPL | Reduced cost: 200-300% FPL (~$93,600 for a family of four)
New Jersey has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-1) plus strong consumer protections under the Consumer Fraud Act.
After 6 years, creditors cannot sue you to collect medical debt in New Jersey. The Consumer Fraud Act provides additional protections against unfair collection.
Providers must give written notice of out-of-network status and estimated charges before non-emergency services. You can consent or choose an in-network alternative.
NJ's Consumer Fraud Act provides powerful remedies for deceptive billing — including treble (3×) damages and attorney's fees. This covers unfair medical billing practices.
You have the right to an itemized bill. All hospitals must publish standard charges. Use Taven's price comparison to compare NJ hospitals.
NJ's "baseball-style" arbitration process resolves payment disputes between providers and insurers without involving patients — keeping you out of the middle.
New Jersey has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt (N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-1). After this period, creditors cannot sue to collect. The Consumer Fraud Act provides additional protections.
Effective August 2018, this law prohibits balance billing for emergency services, out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and inadvertent out-of-network services. Patients only pay in-network cost-sharing. It's one of the strongest such laws in the country.
Contact the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance at 609-292-7272 or 1-800-446-7467. For consumer fraud, contact the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6200 or 1-800-242-5846.
NJ Hospital Care Payment Assistance provides free care for patients below 200% FPL and reduced-cost care between 200-300% FPL. All acute care hospitals must participate. You can apply retroactively even after receiving a bill.
Medical debt under $500 is excluded from credit reports (federal rule, 2023). Paid collections are immediately removed. NJ's Consumer Fraud Act allows treble damages for unfair debt collection practices.
If a hospital or insurer is violating your rights, file a formal complaint.
For insurance-related complaints: claim denials, balance billing, network issues, surprise billing.
📞 609-292-7272 | 1-800-446-7467
File a complaint →For deceptive billing practices, fraud, or Consumer Fraud Act violations.
📞 973-504-6200 | 1-800-242-5846
File a complaint →Compare prices at 79 hospitals across New Jersey.
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