May 13, 2016

Georgia announced that Family Dermatology, P.C. has entered into a settlement with the State of Georgia in response to allegations that it violated the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act by attempting to collect debts from consumers without sufficiently confirming that the debts were valid and/or that the billing statements were accurate. A number of consumers claimed they had been billed for services for which they had already paid, while others alleged that the company failed to timely submit claims to consumers’ insurance providers, resulting in the insurance providers denying the claims and consumers then being charged. When consumers tried to contact Family Dermatology to question the bills, most claimed they were unable to get through to customer service. Family Dermatology, P.C., while denying any wrongdoing, has entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance which requires it to pay restitution to consumers who, due to the company’s billing practices, paid alleged debts they did not owe. The company must also cease collecting on 42,301 customer accounts for services provided prior to April 1, 2013, totaling $8,892,215, and pay $5,000 in fees and penalties. GA