Doctors, Not Hospitals, Dominate Medical Debt Lawsuits in Connecticut

Physicians, dentists and other non-hospital providers account for over 80% of health care debt collection cases in the state's courts.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:00am

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray image revealing the intricate internal structure of a medical bill or debt collection notice, conceptually illustrating the hidden complexities of the healthcare debt crisis.An X-ray view of the complex web of medical debt lawsuits targeting patients, exposing the underlying structures of an unregulated system.Hartford Today

A Connecticut Mirror-KFF Health News investigation found that lawsuits by doctors and other non-hospital providers now dominate health care debt collections in the state, accounting for more than 80% of cases filed against patients and their families in 2024. This is a major shift from just five years earlier, when hospital system lawsuits made up three-quarters of health-related collection cases in Connecticut's courts.

Why it matters

The rise in medical debt lawsuits by doctors and other providers is moving collections into a less regulated realm, as most hospitals must follow federal rules that limit aggressive tactics. These lawsuits can have devastating impacts on patients, leading to garnished wages, liens on homes, and added debt from interest and fees, further straining struggling families and eroding trust in the medical system.

The details

The investigation identified over 16,000 health care-related debt cases in Connecticut courts from 2019 to 2024. While most of the state's 25,000 licensed physicians and dentists did not pursue patients in court, more than 400 medical providers, including radiologists, anesthesiologists, dentists, and ambulance companies, filed lawsuits. The average patient debt that members of the Physicians for Women's Health network sued over in 2024 was less than $1,100, despite the group's annual revenues typically being in the tens of millions of dollars.

  • From 2019 to 2024, hospital system lawsuits made up three-quarters of health-related collection cases in Connecticut's courts.
  • In 2024, lawsuits by doctors and other non-hospital providers accounted for more than 80% of health care debt collection cases in the state.

The players

Physicians for Women's Health

A large network of OB-GYN practices across Connecticut that sued close to 100 patients in 2024.

Naugatuck Valley Radiological Associates

A physician group that sued more than 125 patients from 2019 to 2024.

Midstate Radiology Associates

A large physician group that operates imaging centers and doctors' offices across Connecticut and filed more than 1,000 collection lawsuits against patients from 2019 to 2024.

Orthopedic Associates of Hartford

A medical group that filed more than 580 lawsuits against patients from 2019 to 2024.

Diagnostic Imaging of Milford

An imaging center that sued Andrew Skolnick, a Milford, Connecticut attorney, over a disputed $2,000 bill plus interest.

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What they’re saying

“This is an organization committed to patients. We have to look at our operating costs.”

— Paula Greenberg, CEO of Women's Health Connecticut

“Hiding from your problems isn't going to solve them. If we didn't take any action, there could be that person that is in that late-model Mercedes that just chooses not to pay any bills.”

— Dr. Geoffrey Manton, President of Naugatuck Valley Radiological Associates

“It's all about money. If you are trained in helping somebody with their health, it shouldn't be about the money first. It should be about their health.”

— Matthew Millman

“Patients are left to deal with it.”

— Saud Anwar, Connecticut State Senator and Physician

“Everyone should do the right thing by patients.”

— Ned Lamont, Connecticut Governor

What’s next

Connecticut legislators are pushing to get hospitals to provide more financial aid to patients, and a bill has been introduced that would bar hospitals from billing patients who receive public benefits or make less than twice the federal poverty level. However, this restriction would not apply to bills from physicians and other non-hospital providers, so lawmakers may need to expand the legislation to address the rise in lawsuits by doctors and other medical providers.

The takeaway

The shift away from hospital-led medical debt lawsuits to a greater focus on collections by doctors, dentists, and other non-hospital providers exposes a gap in regulations and patient protections. This highlights the need for policymakers to address aggressive debt collection tactics across the entire healthcare system, not just at hospitals, in order to restore trust and prevent further financial harm to struggling families.