Attorney General Mayes Announces Settlement with SimonMed over Upfront Billing Practices

PHOENIX — Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a settlement with SimonMed Imaging MSO, LLC (“SimonMed”), a medical imaging service provider, filing a Complaint and Consent judgment today to resolve an investigation into SimonMed’s billing practices, such as delayed refunds and upfront payment policies.  

“When a medical provider demands an upfront payment, the provider must refund any overpayments within a reasonable time period,” said Attorney General Mayes. “Arizonans shouldn’t have to choose between being denied necessary medical services or paying amounts out of pocket that are ultimately covered by insurance.”

SimonMed typically charges customers up front for medical imaging services based on a “good-faith estimate” of the amount the customer will ultimately owe. If the good-faith estimate results in an overpayment, SimonMed will refund consumers the difference. In its Complaint, the State  alleges SimonMed failed to issue refunds for overpayments within a reasonable time period, with some consumers not receiving a refund for over a year following service.  Additionally, SimonMed continued to require consumers to pay up front, during a period it knew any overpayments could result in unreasonably delayed refunds. 

The Consent Judgment requires SimonMed to take corrective measures:

• SimonMed is now required to issue refunds within an average of 60 days of adjudication of the consumer’s claim through insurance
• For claims that are not resolved in a timely manner, SimonMed will contact consumers to provide an update on the status of their refund.
• SimonMed will also allow consumers who disagree with the good-faith estimate the option to leave a credit card on file be charged after their insurance company adjudicates the claim. 
• SimonMed will also pay $50,000 in civil penalties, $20,000 in restitution, and $20,000 in costs and fees.

Any consumers who believe they are affected by SimonMed’s billing practices should file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office as soon as possible and before April 30, 2026, to be considered for restitution.

This matter was handled the Consumer Litigation Unit Chief Counsel Dylan Jones and Assistant Attorney General Liza Lawson.

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website. If you need a complaint form sent to you, contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.

A copy of the complaint can be found here and a copy of the consent judgement can be found here.