Patient sues medical facility, agencies over billing

A Harris County woman has sued a medical practice and its affiliated collection firms, alleging deceptive trade and fraudulent billing practices.

Esherlonda Gray of Houston filed a lawsuit Dec. 31, 2014 in Galveston County District Court against: CHCA Clear Lake, doing business as Mainland Medical Center of Texas City; NPAS Solutions; National Patient Account Services Inc.; and Parallon Business Solutions, citing breach of good faith and other allegations.

According to the complaint, Gray received medical services from Mainland on Nov. 30, 2011, and was subsequently billed $26,098. When the bill was submitted to the plaintiff’s medical plan third party administrator, the suit says, the administrator covered $3,426.35 of the total and remitted it to the defendant.

The suit says beginning Feb. 24, 2012, Gray has repeatedly attempted to collect the remaining $22,671.65 from the defendants, exceeding fair and reasonable amounts. Defendant NPAS improperly acted as debt collector without identifying itself as such, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiff alleges bullying, illegal debt collection activity, a negative credit impairment and violation of Texas debt collection law.

Gray seeks injunctive relief, actual and exemplary damages, attorney fees and costs. She is represented by attorneys Bryan Pollard and Jessica Brown Wilson of FisherBroyles in Dallas.

Galveston County District Court case number: 14-CV-1363