Matthew Ungs, founder and CEO of Patient Fairness, is on a mission to make healthcare billing fairer for patients. Born and raised in Tennessee, Ungs has brought his platform back to his home state, where it is quickly gaining traction. With its headquarters in Nashville, Patient Fairness is uniquely positioned to tap into Tennessee’s rich healthcare landscape, from top-tier education and research institutions to a burgeoning healthcare industry.

“Tennessee is my home state,” Ungs shared. “I grew up in Knoxville, went to college in Nashville, and moved back in 2009 after about 20 years living elsewhere. So, running Patient Fairness out of Tennessee is a great fit. Nashville is a major hub for the health care industry, and that allows me to observe health care trends and developments in person.”

Patient Fairness, founded by Ungs to combat unfair healthcare bills, leverages technology to help patients across the United States contest questionable billing practices. The company has earned a reputation for taking a stance on patient rights, emphasizing fairness and transparency in an industry often criticized for its complexity and opaqueness.

“The outcomes of health services are important,” said Ungs, “but making access to health services affordable is critical. Positive outcomes for services that patients cannot afford have little impact.” Ungs explains that the time is ripe to help patients reclaim their rights as consumers in healthcare, highlighting the disconnect between healthcare providers and the people they serve.

“Patients across the country, not just in Tennessee, over the past 30 years have been progressively treated less as consumers by providers and health plans, and more as role players that are expected to do as the providers and health plans tell them. Taking consumerism out of health care has led to incredible cost increases that are ultimately shouldered by those same patients.”

Ungs sees his company as more than just a business; it’s a movement toward giving patients a voice. Patient Fairness was created to assist people in evaluating and disputing medical bills when they seem unjust. Patients are encouraged to question their bills and challenge what doesn’t seem fair.

“There is no particular checklist for a patient to identify concerns with a medical bill,” he said. “It is simpler and more effective for a patient to ask just one question about a medical bill: ‘Is this fair?’ People usually have good sense if they are being treated fairly or not.

Patient Fairness will identify for our customers if there are laws, consumer protections, or other reasons to dispute medical bills. Identifying those reasons to include in a dispute is a big part of the value Patient Fairness brings.”

While the company is based in Tennessee, it assists patients nationwide. Ungs says that patients from all over the country have signed up, with many cases involving surprise bills - charges patients didn’t anticipate or prices they never agreed to.

“We get patients from all over the country,” he explained. “The biggest issue we see regards surprise bills under which the patient never agreed to the prices charged or didn’t even know they would get a bill in the first place.”

Surprise billing has become a focal point for Patient Fairness, but Ungs notes that they address a wide range of billing concerns beyond that. This comprehensive approach has contributed to the growing demand for Patient Fairness’ services, as more and more individuals find themselves in need of support navigating the complicated and, at times, overwhelming healthcare billing system.

Ungs’ passion for Tennessee is evident as he discusses both his company’s work and his personal love for the state. “As I said, Tennessee is my home state,” he emphasized. “The people are the nicest in the country. The weather offers a change of seasons but mild winters. The mountains of East Tennessee and rolling hills on Middle Tennessee are beautiful. It is home to my alma mater, Vanderbilt University. What is not to love about the Volunteer State?”

His admiration for Tennessee’s scenic beauty and the kindness of its people gives him a unique connection to his work in Nashville, where Patient Fairness is grounded in the values of fairness and service to the community.

Yet, despite having spent most of his life in Tennessee, Ungs still has parts of the state he wants to explore. “Even though I have lived in Tennessee most of my life, I have not been to parts of the state,” he admitted. “I need to explore more in the northern plateau (Celina) and northwest (Dyersburg). There are a few road trips I will make in the next couple of years.”

Ungs’ commitment to staying connected to Tennessee, both in his work and in his personal life, adds a deeper level of authenticity to Patient Fairness. His goal is not only to run a successful business but also to contribute positively to his home state’s healthcare landscape.

Through Patient Fairness, Ungs is helping people exercise their rights and demand transparency, encouraging patients to reject the idea that they must simply accept whatever bills come their way. Ungs believes that restoring consumer rights in healthcare is essential, not just for individuals, but for the economy at large.

“Perhaps a tipping point has been reached,” he noted. “Patients and the public are fed up with their little say in how their health care is paid for, and how much it costs. Patient Fairness helps patients assert their rights as consumers to expect clear and fair prices and billing practices. That is not just good for the pocketbooks of patients; it is healthy for our economy.”

Patient Fairness has a straightforward approach. When a patient feels they’ve received an unfair bill, they can turn to Ungs’ company for assistance. From there, Patient Fairness will assess the bill and determine if there is a basis for a dispute, guiding the patient through each step of the process. This dedication to clarity, support, and transparency has set Patient Fairness apart as an advocate for those often lost in the complexities of medical billing.

In Ungs’ view, running Patient Fairness in Tennessee has only strengthened his commitment to the cause. He believes Nashville’s role as a healthcare hub offers a unique vantage point, allowing him to witness both the progress and challenges within the industry.

“Of course, technology today allows flexibility to operate in almost any location,” he added. With his passion for Tennessee and his vision for Patient Fairness, Matthew Ungs is creating change for patients in Tennessee and across the country, ensuring they don’t face their medical bills alone.