When a multi-location cosmetic surgery and dermatology group won a $72,000 Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) award against UnitedHealthcare, it seemed like a clear victory. UnitedHealthcare had submitted an offer of $0 for CPT 19318, while the provider submitted an offer of $72,000. On February 18, 2026, the designated IDR entity selected the provider's full offer and declared the provider the prevailing party. The determination required payment within the applicable 30-calendar-day period. But the award remained unpaid for months, despite repeated reminders and demands.
The case, Jason Weissler v. United Healthcare (Index No.: 652776/2026), then moved to the New York State Supreme Court, New York County, under CPLR Article 75. The petition sought enforcement and payment of the $72,000 IDR award, along with statutory interest, the IDR entity fee, associated costs and disbursements, and other appropriate relief. This next step was taken with strategic guidance and active support from CollectionPro Services LLC, a specialist in out-of-network reimbursement and IDR.
The situation underscores a growing concern for out-of-network healthcare providers: winning an IDR determination does not guarantee payment. "Providers should not have to assume that their work is finished simply because they received a favorable IDR determination," said David Nissanoff, spokesperson for CollectionPro. "The real objective is not just to win arbitration. It is to pursue the reimbursement the provider has been awarded. When payment remains unresolved after a favorable determination, providers need to understand what options may be available for the next stage of recovery."
CollectionPro's approach extends across the recovery lifecycle, including open negotiation, IDR strategy, evidence development, IDR determination, award tracking, and post-award escalation and enforcement support. This end-to-end model is particularly relevant as providers navigate the No Surprises Act. The company reports more than 10,000 out-of-network arbitrations filed and a 92% success rate, while advancing applicable arbitration costs and charging providers only after successful recovery.
For providers, the implications are clear. A favorable IDR decision is only as valuable as the payment it produces. As this case shows, when a payer ignores an award, enforcement through the courts may be necessary. CollectionPro's involvement illustrates that post-award support can make the difference between a paper victory and actual reimbursement. More information about CollectionPro's services is available at CollectionPro.
