Short Answer

In North Carolina, you (or your attorney) can request an itemized statement directly from the provider’s billing or medical records department with a signed HIPAA authorization. For personal injury claims, providers who want to assert a lien on your settlement must, upon request, furnish an itemized bill and related records; one set is typically provided without charge to your attorney. Most providers process these requests within several weeks. If there is resistance, escalate to a supervisor and reference the provider’s lien obligations under North Carolina law.

Understanding the Problem

You want to know how your lawyer can obtain a line-by-line, itemized medical bill from a North Carolina provider to support a personal injury claim. In North Carolina, the focus is on whether the provider must give an itemized statement when you authorize the release and your claim involves potential lien rights. Here, your attorney already sent medical billing authorizations and asked the billing department for the itemized statement.

Apply the Law

North Carolina law lets health care providers claim a lien on any personal injury recovery for their reasonable charges. In return, when your attorney requests it with your written authorization, the provider must furnish an itemized statement of charges and make related records available. Providers may charge standard copy fees for records generally, but in a personal injury claim your attorney is entitled to one set for lien evaluation without a copying charge. The request goes to the provider’s Health Information Management (medical records) or Patient Financial Services/Billing office; responses commonly take up to 30 days.

Key Requirements

• Authorization: A signed HIPAA-compliant authorization from the patient allowing release of billing and records.
• Proper request: A written request for an “itemized statement of charges” identifying patient name, date(s) of service, and provider account number if available.
• Provider’s lien duties: If the provider intends to claim a lien on any settlement, it must, upon request, provide an itemized bill and allow access to related records; one set to the attorney is furnished without charge.
• Reasonable copy fees otherwise: Outside the lien context, providers may charge regulated copy fees for records; itemized statements are typically treated like billing records.
• Timing: Providers generally respond within about 30 days; written follow-up keeps the request on track.

What the Statutes Say

• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Health care provider liens) - Allows provider liens and requires, upon request, furnishing itemized charges and access to related records as part of asserting the lien.
• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 44-50 (Distribution of recovery) - Addresses how lien claims are paid from settlements and caps total medical lien payments.
• North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 90-411 (Fees for medical records) - Permits reasonable copy charges for medical records in general; personal injury lien requests typically receive one set without charge under § 44-49.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: You have already provided the provider with a signed billing authorization through your attorney. That satisfies the authorization element. Your attorney’s written request for an “itemized statement of charges” targets the correct document. Because this is a personal injury matter and the provider may claim a lien, the provider should furnish the itemized bill (and allow access to related records) upon request; one set to the attorney is typically free. If the provider delays, a written follow-up referencing lien obligations usually resolves it.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: The patient or the patient’s attorney. Where: The provider’s Health Information Management (Medical Records) or Patient Financial Services/Billing office in North Carolina. What: A HIPAA-compliant authorization plus a written request for an “itemized statement of charges” for the specific date(s) of service. When: Send as soon as treatment concludes or when the bill is needed; providers commonly take up to 30 days to respond.
2. Follow up in 7–10 business days by phone and email/fax. Ask for a supervisor in Billing or the HIM director if the request stalls or if copy fees are quoted despite the personal injury context.
3. Receive the itemized statement, review dates, CPT/HCPCS codes, and totals, and reconcile with the account balance and any lien notices before using it in your claim.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Requests sent to the wrong department slow things down—direct itemized billing requests to Patient Financial Services/Billing and copy the HIM/Medical Records office.
• Third-party copy vendors may quote fees—remind them your attorney is requesting one set in a personal injury matter, which is typically furnished without charge as part of lien compliance.
• Asking for an “invoice” or “statement” can return only a summary; specify “itemized statement of charges with codes and dates of service.”
• Missing identifiers (date of birth, dates of service, account number) cause denials—include them in your written request.
• Explanation of Benefits from insurance is not the provider’s itemized bill—request directly from the provider, not the insurer.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you're dealing with a provider that won’t send an itemized bill or you need help coordinating records for a claim, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. Reach out today at (919) 341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.