Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a settlement this week with SimonMed Imaging MSO, LLC, resolving a state investigation into the company’s billing practices, including complaints of delayed refunds and upfront payment requirements for patients.
According to a complaint and consent judgment filed Tuesday, the state found that SimonMed often required patients to pay in advance based on “good-faith estimates” of what insurance wouldn’t cover. However, when those estimates resulted in overpayments, some consumers reportedly waited more than a year for refunds.
“When a medical provider demands an upfront payment, the provider must refund any overpayments within a reasonable time period,” said Mayes in a statement. “Arizonans shouldn’t have to choose between being denied necessary medical services or paying amounts out of pocket that are ultimately covered by insurance.”
Under the terms of the settlement, SimonMed will be required to:
Issue refunds within 60 days of insurance claim adjudication;
Provide status updates to patients when claims are delayed; and
Offer consumers an option to keep a credit card on file rather than paying upfront.
In addition to these operational changes, SimonMed will pay $50,000 in civil penalties, $20,000 in restitution, and $20,000 in costs and fees to the state.
Consumers who believe they were affected by SimonMed’s billing practices are encouraged to file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office by April 30, 2026, to be considered for restitution. More information and complaint forms are available on the Attorney General’s website.
The case was handled by Chief Counsel Dylan Jones and Assistant Attorney General Liza Lawson of the Consumer Litigation Unit.
