government
Indiana high court to weigh uninsured billing lawsuit
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 7, 2012
The Indiana Supreme Court is set to review a challenge against the state’s largest hospital group over whether its billing practices discriminate against uninsured patients.
The plaintiffs, who are uninsured, claim that Indiana University Health charged them more than insured patients would pay for the same treatments. The American Hospital Assn. and others are concerned that a ruling for the plaintiffs could lead to an onslaught of legal claims from uninsured patients against Indiana hospitals.
Patients Abby Allen and Walter Moore sued Clarian Health Partners, which is now IU Health, in 2010. A trial court ruled in favor of the hospital, saying the plaintiffs did not have a valid claim.
The Court of Appeals of Indiana overturned the ruling, allowing the case to proceed. The Indiana Supreme Court will hear the case May 10.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/05/07/gvbf0507.htm.
