If a medical provider's bill is reduced and the physician unlawfully collects from the applicant, what is the physician's responsibility?

• A. WCAB
• B. Small Claims court
• C. Three times the amount unlawfully collected
• D. None

Answer: (C)

When a medical provider unlawfully collects from an applicant after their bill has been reduced, the law typically imposes significant penalties on the provider. In this scenario, the physician's responsibility includes returning the unlawfully collected amount along with an additional amount, which is often three times the unlawfully collected sum. This punitive measure serves to discourage such practices and to protect applicants from unfair financial burdens imposed by medical providers. The intention behind this provision is to promote fairness in the billing practices of healthcare providers, reinforcing that they cannot exploit patients or applicants for additional payments beyond what is legally warranted. This structure helps ensure that applicants are treated justly and that medical providers adhere to ethical billing standards.