Itemized bills and billing errors
Federal privacy law gives you the right to see and get a copy of your own billing records from a health care provider. If you have Medicare, there is also a specific right to an itemized statement.
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
Your right to your records and an itemized bill
- Your medical and billing records kept by a health care provider are part of your 'designated record set'. You have the right to get a copy. The provider must act on your request within 30 days, with one possible 30-day extension if it tells you in writing why.
Law: 45 CFR 164.501 (designated record set); 45 CFR 164.524(b)(2)
- The provider may charge only a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies (labor for copying, supplies, postage).
Law: 45 CFR 164.524(c)(4)
- If Medicare paid for an item or service, you can ask the provider in writing for an itemized statement. It must send it within 30 days. A provider that knowingly fails can face a civil penalty of up to $100 for each failure. Within 90 days after you get the statement you can ask Medicare to review items you think were not provided or were billed twice.
Law: 42 U.S.C. 1395b-7(b)
Hospital price lists
- Every hospital must post online a machine-readable file of all its standard charges, and a consumer-friendly list of at least 300 shoppable services (or an online price estimator tool). You can complain to CMS if a hospital has not posted this information.
Law: 45 CFR 180.40, 180.50, 180.60
Disputing a bill with a collector
- A debt collector must give you validation information about the debt, including the amount and how to dispute it. The validation period ends 30 days after you get that information.
Law: 12 CFR 1006.34
- If you dispute the debt in writing within the validation period, the collector must stop collecting the disputed amount until it sends you verification of the debt. You can also ask in writing for the name and address of the original creditor.
Law: 12 CFR 1006.38(c), (d)(2)
- You can complain about a debt collector, a credit bureau or a medical credit card to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau online or at (855) 411-2372.
Law: CFPB, Submit a complaint
States with their own itemized-bill right
Before you act
Start with the itemized bill, then compare each line with your insurer's explanation of benefits. Mark charges you do not recognize, ask the provider in writing to fix or explain them, and keep copies of everything you send.
Quick answers
Can I get an itemized bill and my records?
Your medical and billing records kept by a health care provider are part of your 'designated record set'. You have the right to get a copy.
What must a collector send me?
A debt collector must give you validation information about the debt, including the amount and how to dispute it. The validation period ends 30 days after you get that information.
Does disputing a debt stop collection?
If you dispute the debt in writing within the validation period, the collector must stop collecting the disputed amount until it sends you verification of the debt.
Free help
Free help can look at your bill and your letters. Legal aid groups, state insurance departments and the federal help desk do not charge for this.