NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tucked deep away inside the Capitol lies a state law most Tennesseans likely have no idea exists and a local attorney says medical debt collection companies could be breaking it.
Gary Blackburn is an attorney Nashville, recently his office has noticed a disturbing pattern among uninsured clients with massive medical bills. Tennessee state law stipulates that if a person doesn't have insurance then ends up with medical bills, a hospital can only legally collect a small percentage of what is owed.
Gary though believes a number of hospitals and debt collectors are going after patients for the full amount which is illegal.
"These are people who don’t know their rights and these companies are preying on their ignorance," he said.
Gary and his colleagues are now trying to determine if they have basis for a class action law suit. He's trying to determine if enough patients have been impacted by illegal debt collection in Tennessee.
"If it’s happening to these two or three people it must be happening to thousands of people," he added.
