Commitment to affordable and accessible care

As part of our ongoing commitment to make health care more affordable and accessible, Advocate Health is taking a significant step in eliminating financial barriers to care. In September 2024, we announced we have started canceling all judgment liens previously placed on homes and real estate as part of our efforts to collect unpaid medical bills. This will include forgiving the outstanding debts associated with those liens.

Advocate Health representatives will proactively reach out to individuals whose liens are being canceled.

Please continue to visit this site for updates.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to do to get the lien on my home or property canceled?

Nothing. Advocate Health is working to resolve the cases. We will be in contact with those individuals named on the lien at the appropriate time. This may take some time as canceling liens requires coordination between our attorneys and the courts in each jurisdiction.

How can I find out specifics on a lien placed on my house or other property?

We will be reaching out to the person named on the lien at the appropriate time. In the meantime, if you have specific questions about your case, please email us and someone from our team will be in touch soon.

I am in the process of selling my house that is subject to a judicial lien from Advocate Health. What do I need to do to ensure the lien is cancelled?

If you have a pending offer to purchase the home or property that has a lien field against it, please email us and we will contact you.

Who qualifies for the lien cancellations?

We have compiled a complete listing of those individuals where a judicial lien has been used in seeking payment for unpaid medical bills. There is no need to contact us, as we will be reaching out to those people directly as their case comes up for resolution.

Why is Advocate Health doing this and doing it now?

Over the past few years, since Advocate Health was created in 2022, its leaders have been examining ways to improve access and the affordability of health care. After stopping the practice of filing lawsuits and liens as a means of debt collection in 2022, this was determined to be the next logical step, allowing us to accelerate this process to remove judgment liens placed on homes and property to cover unpaid medical bills.

When will this program take effect?

Advocate Health has already started this process and is resolving them individually throughout its service territories. It’s important to note that this process will take some time, as canceling liens will require coordination with Advocate Health’s attorneys and the courts in each jurisdiction. If you are subject to a judgement lien covered under this program, we will be reaching out to you when your case is up.

How did the judicial liens come about in the first place?

Prior to the no lien policy being adopted in 2022, litigation was used as a last resort in collecting medical debt. It was typically used when the patient was known to have a means to pay or they refused to participate in payment option discussions.

Is this part of the North Carolina state medical debt forgiveness program?

No. This is an Advocate Health initiative being implemented to provide relief to those who currently have judicial liens placed on their home or property as a result of medical debt. The state program is entirely separate and distinct. We are beginning immediately with lien cancellations. The state isn’t expected to finalize the loan forgiveness program until sometime next year and we will begin working with those accounts at that time.