American Health Law Association arbitration
Appointments through the American Health Law Association, under that organization’s rules.
Arbitrator
Arbitration through the American Health Law Association, including Michigan surprise-billing matters.
Joseph Rivet serves as an arbitrator through the American Health Law Association and is an approved arbitrator for the State of Michigan for surprise billing. Arbitration is a private decision under the rules the parties agreed to, or under the process a statute requires.
Reviewed by Joseph Rivet · October 3, 2026
The Challenge
A decision under rules already set
Arbitration follows the clause in the contract or the process a statute sets out. A Michigan surprise-billing matter follows that state’s process. The arbitrator does not rewrite those rules in the hearing.
Michigan surprise-billing arbitration
Payment disputes Joseph Rivet is approved to hear for the State of Michigan.
Contract disputes that name arbitration
The clause picks the process. The arbitrator does not invent a new one in the room.
Payment and reimbursement disagreements
The service, the amount each side says is owed, and the record that supports it.
Who We Help
Who this work is for
Surprise-billing matters and other healthcare arbitrations turn on the same facts as a reimbursement dispute: the service that was furnished, the amount each side says is owed, and the record. The arbitrator decides that dispute. The arbitrator does not represent either side.
- Parties whose contract sends the dispute to arbitration
- Providers and plans in a Michigan surprise-billing payment dispute
- Counsel who need an arbitrator with a healthcare reimbursement background
- Organizations that want a private decision instead of a public case
Our Process
First steps you can take today
These steps organize the file. They are not a substitute for counsel.
- 1
Read the arbitration clause or the surprise-billing notice and note the deadline.
- 2
Collect the claim and the payment each side says is correct.
- 3
List anyone who has already worked for either party.
- 4
Confirm which rules apply before anyone drafts a brief.
A decision under rules already set
Arbitration follows the clause in the contract or the process a statute sets out. A Michigan surprise-billing matter follows that state’s process. The arbitrator does not rewrite those rules in the hearing.
The parties still have to present the record. The decision is only as complete as the file they put in.
Neutral in that matter
Serving as arbitrator means not representing either party in the same dispute. Prior work for either side is checked before an appointment is accepted.
American Health Law Association appointments follow that organization’s rules. Michigan surprise-billing appointments follow the state’s approved-arbitrator process.
Common questions
- Is an arbitrator the same as a mediator?
- No. A mediator helps the parties look for an agreement and does not decide the dispute. An arbitrator hears the matter and issues a decision.
- Can the firm arbitrate a case it also handles as counsel?
- Not the same matter. If the firm represents a party, someone else has to serve as the arbitrator.
- What is the Michigan surprise-billing role?
- Joseph Rivet is an approved arbitrator for the State of Michigan for surprise billing, in addition to serving as an arbitrator through the American Health Law Association.
800 E. Ellis Road, Ste 515, Norton Shores, MI 49441
(231) 799-4870
rivethealthlaw.com
Before the appointment
6 itemsWhat the file should contain
These are the pieces an arbitrator looks for at the start. The notice or the rules control what is actually required.
Check items off as you collect them. Your progress is saved on this device.
This sheet is a gather list for your own file. It is not legal advice.
Industries
This page is educational. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Facts, contracts, and appeal windows control the next step.