Clarksville family sues therapy firm after $364,000 bill

A Clarksville family is asking a federal court to step in after a New York therapy company sent them a bill for $364,000. Angela Elkins filed the lawsuit on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint names The Perfect Child LLC, its affiliated entities, and company leadership as defendants.

Elkins and her husband, Jason, enrolled their teenage daughter in in-home applied behavior analysis therapy in late 2023. They say the provider reviewed their insurance benefits before starting care. The company promised in writing that their out-of-pocket costs would be capped at a flat rate of $102 per month. The family trusted that written assurance and began treatment.

Months later, the insurer started denying claims for the out-of-network services. The Perfect Child then balance-billed the family for the full difference. Jason Elkins described the emotional weight of the surprise charge to WSMV4. “We were angry,” he said. “We were very upset, very sad. Like, you know, where did the lines get crossed here?”

The lawsuit claims the company delayed sending direct bills while costs grew. It argues the firm only demanded payment after substantial care had already been administered. The complaint alleges the provider required the family to sign over limited power of attorney for their daughter. This step was necessary to allow the company to pursue insurance claims on their behalf to avoid the six-figure balance.

The Elkins are now the lead plaintiffs in a class-action suit seeking to represent families nationwide. The legal team is actively looking for other affected families to join the case. The complaint argues that out-of-network providers exploit parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. It states these companies advertise affordable therapy but privately bill insurance exorbitant fees well beyond fair market value.

A WSMV4 investigation into these billing practices found some providers charged insurers up to $10,000 for a single three-hour session. Another Tennessee family involved in that investigation reported receiving a $1.48 million bill from The Perfect Child after their insurance denied coverage. These figures illustrate the scale of the costs the lawsuit claims are unfair.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, restitution, and injunctive relief. The family wants the court to bar the provider from continuing its current billing practices. The Perfect Child has not yet responded to inquiries from the media regarding the new filing.

The U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce is also investigating The Perfect Child’s billing practices and insurance claims. The federal committee is reviewing how the company handles these financial transactions. The court will determine the next steps for the class action after the initial filing is processed.