Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said a unit within the Consumer Protection Division in his office has recovered or saved consumers $2.6 million by challenging denied health care claims.

The state’s annual report, however, showed only 10% of Marylanders appeal their bills when a claim is denied. But in the past fiscal year, the state succeeded in 56% of the cases it challenged.

Brown said consumers pay premiums so that their medical care can be covered. When their claim is rejected, he said, “Too many Marylanders just give up, thinking they have no choice but to accept the denial or to pay bills they can’t afford.”

Among the cases the state’s Health Education and Advocacy Unit looked at are those that have what Brown called “surprise medical bills.” Those are bills for components of care that the consumer believed would be covered.

“Last year, the HEAU saved a family more than $23,000 when their child was moved from a hospital’s emergency room to its inpatient psychiatric unit just two floors apart,” Brown said.

He explained that in that case, the emergency department was considered in-network, while the psychiatric unit was not.

“Although there are laws against these unlawful surprises, too many Marylanders are still charged these fees,” Brown said.

According to the attorney general’s office, in cases where original denials are not overturned, the HEAU is often able to negotiate a reduction of the original amount and set up payment plans for consumers.

Consumers looking for help in navigating the process can call the unit’s hotline Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 410-528-1840. Complaints can also be filed online.

Five people, including four teens, were charged with allegedly having loaded guns after illegal car rallies were broken up in several Maryland counties.

A 16-year-old and three 17-year-olds were arrested over the weekend as the Maryland Car Rally Task Force stopped rallies in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George’s counties.

The car rally derailment started around 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, focusing on public roads, industrial zones, and parking lots. 

Maryland State Police says these rallies include street racing, disorderly behavior, and blocking roadways.

State police said law enforcement dismantled car rallies at these locations:

• 800 Walden Lane in Lanham.
• 1780 Crossroads Drive in Odenton.
• 6311 Ammendale Road in Beltsville.
• 4555 Hollins Ferry Road in Baltimore.

Car rallies were prevented at these locations:

• 3321 Corridor Marketplace in Laurel.
• 11223 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.
• 8299 Preston Court in Jessup.
• 3218 Transway Road in Halethorpe.

What are these car rallies?

These organized car rallies are getting dismantled nearly every weekend across Maryland.

Police describe the “chipeos” as “organized unpermitted car meets in public spaces involving music and dancing and attracting hundreds of people.”

Police said that at least six shootings and one stabbing since December 1 are directly associated with “chipeos” in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area.

On the weekend of January 3 and 4, the task force stopped four large-scale driving exhibitions and prevented three others in Maryland.

Exhibition driving made illegal in 2024

In 2024, House Bill 601 made exhibition driving and street races illegal. 

According to the law, exhibition driving is described as operating a vehicle close to a crowd and intentionally skidding, swerving while accelerating or causing the wheels to lose contact with the ground, among other actions. 

Those convicted of exhibition driving could face 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If the illegal conduct results in harm to another person, the maximum prison sentence is one year. 

What is the Maryland Car Rally Task Force?

Maryland’s Car Rally Task Force includes officers from the state police, along with the police departments in Prince George’s, Howard, Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties, Baltimore City and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

The task force was established in 2024 as a collaboration of law enforcement agencies across the state to stop illegal driving exhibitions.  

“The Maryland Car Rally Task Force was formed to really go out and combat these large-scale illegal driving exhibition events that threaten public safety,” Maryland State Police spokesperson Elena Russo previously told WJZ.

The Maryland Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 11, 2026, results for each game: