Local Woman Battles Years-Long Medical Bill Dispute

Mary Ann Posinger faced a $1,152 bill that should have been covered by insurance.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A local woman in Chicago, Mary Ann Posinger, battled a $1,152 medical bill for years that should have been covered by her insurance. Despite repeatedly contacting the provider, Northwestern Medicine, the bill was sent to collections and Posinger was getting calls to pay up. After the ABC7 Chicago I-Team got involved, the provider reviewed the account, determined Posinger was not at fault, and adjusted the balance to zero.

Why it matters

This case highlights the frustrations patients can face when dealing with medical billing errors and insurance coverage disputes, which can lead to damaged credit, collections, and significant time and stress for the patient. It underscores the importance of patients being proactive in reviewing medical bills and insurance coverage, as well as the value of media advocacy in resolving complex medical billing issues.

The details

Posinger visited a Northwestern Medicine satellite clinic in Bloomingdale, Illinois in December 2021 for a scan. She initially received a $0 bill, but then a $1,152 bill the following month. Despite repeatedly contacting Northwestern Medicine's billing department to explain she was fully covered by insurance, the bill was sent to collections over the next 17 months. Posinger's insurance company said they were billed too late, and her secondary insurer had mistakenly paid the claim and then demanded the money back.

  • Posinger visited the clinic in December 2021.
  • She received the initial $0 bill the same month.
  • She received the $1,152 bill the following month, in January 2022.
  • The bill was sent to collections in April 2025, nearly 17 months later.
  • The I-Team got involved in 2026, leading to the balance being adjusted to zero.

The players

Mary Ann Posinger

A local woman in Chicago who battled a $1,152 medical bill that should have been covered by her insurance.

Northwestern Medicine

The healthcare provider that initially billed Posinger for the scan, despite it being covered by her insurance.

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What they’re saying

“It's very frustrating because it's taken a lot of my time out for somebody that should've been doing their job a long time ago.”

— Mary Ann Posinger (abc7chicago.com)

“Unfortunately, the charges were initially billed to the wrong insurer. By the time the error was identified, and the claim was submitted to the correct insurer, it exceeded their timely filing limit and was subsequently denied.”

— Northwestern Medicine (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

Posinger says she is relieved the balance has been adjusted to zero and removed from her record, but the experience highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in medical billing to prevent similar disputes from occurring.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance for patients to carefully review medical bills and insurance coverage, and to be persistent in disputing any errors or coverage issues. It also demonstrates the value of media advocacy in resolving complex medical billing problems that patients are unable to resolve on their own.