New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Mar. 23 that the Office of the Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau recovered $1.53 million for New Yorkers in 2025 by resolving health care disputes, correcting billing errors, and helping residents obtain necessary medical treatment.
The annual report highlights the importance of consumer advocacy as thousands of residents face complex health care challenges each year. The Health Care Helpline handled 4,890 complaints in 2025, intervening directly in more than three thousand cases to secure financial relief or resolve insurance issues.
“Health care is complicated enough without families being forced to fight insurers for the care and coverage they are entitled to,” said Attorney General James. “My office’s Health Care Helpline helps New Yorkers cut through red tape, correct billing mistakes, and access the care they need. Whether someone is facing a surprise bill, a wrongful denial of coverage, or confusion about their benefits, my office is here to help.”
According to the report “Real Solutions for New Yorkers,” helpline advocates addressed issues such as provider billing (42 percent), improper collections or refund problems (24 percent), claim-processing errors (13 percent), and denials of coverage by health plans (10 percent). Other concerns included maintaining insurance coverage and accessing prescription drugs.
Several case examples from the report illustrate these interventions: approval was secured for a life-saving double-lung transplant after an initial insurance denial; outstanding debt for a disabled Social Security recipient was reduced from $262,466 to $1,297; an ambulance bill was lowered from five figures to $100 following OAG negotiations; account restoration allowed a cancer patient access to an MRI; recovery of premiums paid into a fraudulent plan amounted to over $4,000; and reversal of denied mental health claims saved one family nearly $80,000.
The Health Care Helpline can be reached online or at 1-800-428-9071 for assistance with medical bills or insurance complaints. Advocates also work with consumers to remove improper medical debts from credit reports.
The helpline operates under Assistant Attorney General Nannette Kelleher within the Division for Social Justice and includes several named advocates. The bureau is led by Darsana Srinivasan under Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
The New York Attorney General promotes social justice and community well-being through civil rights enforcement and consumer advocacy according to the official website. The agency protects residents’ rights across public safety matters including civil rights defense, consumer protections, environmental preservation according to its official website, operates regional offices statewide according to its official website, investigates consumer frauds and mediates tenant disputes according to its official website, all under Letitia James’ leadership according to its official website. It serves as both law enforcement authority and legal advocate across New York State according to its official website.
