Donet v. Isamax Snacks, Inc.

**Medical Provider Illegally Pursued Patient for Balance Bills** This case involved a dispute between a patient (Donet) and a medical provider (Isamax Snacks, Inc./Compass Health) over billing practices. After the patient received medical treatment, their insurance company made a partial payment to the provider under Michigan's no-fault insurance law. However, the medical provider continued to send multiple billing statements to the patient, demanding they pay the remaining balance that the insurance didn't cover. The court ruled in favor of the patient, finding that the medical provider violated the law by trying to collect the balance from the patient after receiving reasonable partial payment from the insurance company. The court awarded the patient $1,500 in damages, calculated at $150 for each of the 10 improper billing statements sent. The provider was also ordered to pay the patient's attorney fees and court costs. **What This Means for Workers:** If you receive medical treatment covered by no-fault insurance and your provider sends you bills for amounts your insurance already partially paid, you may not be responsible for those charges. Medical providers cannot legally pursue patients for balance billing in these situations, and you have legal protections against improper collection practices.