Government

Portland hospital system settles charges it overbilled the uninsured

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 21, 2005

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

A Portland nonprofit hospital system has settled claims alleging it overcharged uninsured patients for services. Providence Health System in Oregon, a network of hospitals, physicians, clinics and health plans in the Pacific Northwest, will recalculate charges for uninsured patients in the first class-action settlement of its kind. The agreement covers a six-year span, including the past four years and going two years into the future. The total cost was not announced.

A spokesman said the hospital disagreed with the charges but settled to avoid the costs and distraction of trial.

Attorneys representing patients have filed more than 60 lawsuits around the country challenging the billing practices of nonprofit hospitals. Most have been dismissed.

One Mississippi health system tentatively settled claims in 2004 but later withdrew from the agreement. A subsequent lawsuit filed against the system was dismissed.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/11/21/gvbf1121.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn