The state office that represents residents in disputes against health care providers has a new leader.

Thomas M. Devlin has been named chief deputy attorney general in the health care section of the state attorney general's office. His annual salary is $90,289.

The health care section, with a staff of 10, investigates and resolves consumer complaints about health care providers, including hospitals, and health insurers.

It has handled 10,019 complaints since it was established in February 2000 and saved consumers $9.7 million, spokeswoman Barbara Petito said.

The most common complaints involve people who believe they are being denied benefits that should be covered by their health insurance, Petito said.

Those people commonly believe they are being forced out of drug or alcohol treatment programs too early. The next most common type of complaint involves billing disputes between patients and hospitals or doctors, Petito said.

Devlin replaces Linda Williams, who recently became director of the attorney general's office of consumer protection.

Devlin has been the senior deputy attorney general in the charitable trusts and organizations section since 1999. Until a replacement is named, he'll handle that job and his new one, Petito said.

"The health care section performs some of the most important work within the office of attorney general due to the rapid responses required to assist consumers with life-threatening illnesses or circumstances," state Attorney General Tom Corbett said in a news release.