If the injured person questions the reasonableness of the charges made by a hospital, nurse, physician, or emergency medical services agency that provided emergency medical services or emergency medical services vehicle transportation claiming a lien pursuant to § 8.01-66.2, the injured person or the hospital, physician, nurse, or emergency medical services agency that provided emergency medical services or emergency medical services vehicle transportation may file, in the court that would have jurisdiction of such claim if such claim were asserted against the injured person by such hospital, physician, nurse, or emergency medical services agency that provided emergency medical services or emergency medical services vehicle transportation, a petition setting forth the facts. The court shall hear and dispose of the matter in a summary way after five days' notice to the other party in interest.
§ 8.01-66.7.Hearing and disposal of claim of unreasonableness.
Chapter 3. Actions · Article 7.1. Lien for Hospital, Medical and Nursing Services · Last amended 2015 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-66.7 lets an injured person or a lien-claiming hospital, physician, nurse, or emergency medical services agency petition the court with jurisdiction over the underlying claim to resolve a dispute over whether the provider’s charges are reasonable, with the court hearing and deciding the matter summarily after five days’ notice.
Full Text of § 8.01-66.7
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-66.7 supplies a dispute-resolution mechanism for challenges to the reasonableness of a provider’s charges. If the injured person questions the reasonableness of charges made by a hospital, nurse, physician, or emergency medical services agency asserting a lien under § 8.01-66.2, either the injured person or the provider may file a petition setting forth the facts in the court that would have jurisdiction if the provider had sued the injured person directly on the claim.
The court then hears and disposes of the matter in a summary way, after giving five days’ notice to the other party in interest — a streamlined process rather than a full civil trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if I think a hospital’s or doctor’s lien charges are too high?
Section 8.01-66.7 lets you file a petition setting forth the facts in the court that would have jurisdiction if the provider had sued you directly, and the court resolves the dispute in a summary proceeding.
Can the provider also start this process, not just the injured person?
Yes. Either the injured person or the hospital, physician, nurse, or emergency medical services agency claiming the lien may file the petition challenging or defending the reasonableness of the charges.
How much notice does the other side get before the hearing?
Five days’ notice to the other party in interest before the court hears and disposes of the matter.
Is this a full trial or a faster process?
The statute directs the court to hear and dispose of the matter in a summary way, meaning a more streamlined proceeding than an ordinary civil trial.
Which court handles this kind of dispute?
The court that would have had jurisdiction over the provider’s claim had it been asserted directly against the injured person.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 32-145; 1979, c. 722; 2003, c. 455; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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