Roger Marshall Charged 18% Interest on Patient Medical Debt
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall charged an 18% annual interest rate on unpaid patient bills while working as a rural Kansas doctor, a figure that an analysis found was the highest among roughly 150 medical practices whose public records were reviewed.
- Roger Marshall applied an 18% annual interest rate to unpaid medical bills during his practice as a rural Kansas obstetrician-gynecologist, outpacing all other surveyed Kansas medical practices.
- An examination of roughly 150 active and defunct medical practices by the Kansas City Star found no other providers charging interest rates above 12%.
- The debt collection practices have drawn public scrutiny following revelations that hundreds of patients faced lawsuits over unpaid balances, with dozens arrested after missing court dates.
The 18% Interest Rate Applied to Unpaid Bills
Steven Johnson, a Great Bend lawyer who represented Marshall and his closely held OB-GYN practice in numerous debt lawsuits against patients, stated that Marshall’s office set the 18% annual interest rate on overdue accounts. Johnson added that if any client had inquired about the maximum allowable interest rate on overdue balances, he would have advised them that 18% was permissible.
Comparison Across Kansas Medical Practices
While public records show that medical providers and clinics suing patients for unpaid balances is not unusual across Kansas, the interest rate applied by Marshall’s practice stood alone at the top. The statewide review of court documents found no other medical providers charging annual interest above 12%. Several attorneys interviewed for the investigation questioned the legality of charging an 18% rate without explicit, upfront contract disclosure agreed to by the patient prior to treatment.
Marshall Defends Billing Practices Amid Re-Election Scrutiny
The billing practices have become a central point of discussion during Marshall’s re-election campaign. Public scrutiny intensified after reporting by The New York Times revealed that Marshall sued more than 700 patients for unpaid balances ranging from thousands of dollars down to $101, resulting in 81 former patients being arrested after failing to appear in court. Marshall has consistently dismissed the public criticism as a political stunt, defending his collection methods as standard business practice. Concurrently, Marshall has co-sponsored federal medical billing transparency legislation known as the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act alongside Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper, a measure intended to penalize providers who refuse to supply itemized bills before turning debts over to collections.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.