A local factory worker has sued Washington University in St. Louis, alleging the university's doctors routinely over-billed for medical services, according to a St. Louis Today report.
The suit, which seeks class-action status, was filed Friday, Jan. 7. The lawsuit alleges that thousands of insured patients have sustained financial losses and damages as a result of illegal billing practices. The suit also contends that "balance billing," in which a healthcare provider bills the patient directly for the difference between the hospital's charged amount and what the insurance carrier will pay, violates the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
Washington University said it had just received the lawsuit and could not comment, according to the report. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Steven Powell of St. Louis, an insured patient who was hospitalized in 2008 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The hospital's owner sued Mr. Powell when he would not pay charges not covered by his insurer.
Mr. Powell's attorney said healthcare providers often set prices for services that are higher than the charges agreed upon with insurance companies, resulting in patients having to subsidize the hospital's loss.
Read the St. Louis Today report on balance billing.
Read more on improper billing for medical services:
-7 Hospitals to Pay Over $63M to Resolve Kyphoplasty-Related False Claims Allegations
-5 Recent Settlements and Investigations Involving Hospitals
-Justice Department Accuses Mayo Clinic of Falsely Billing Medicare
The suit, which seeks class-action status, was filed Friday, Jan. 7. The lawsuit alleges that thousands of insured patients have sustained financial losses and damages as a result of illegal billing practices. The suit also contends that "balance billing," in which a healthcare provider bills the patient directly for the difference between the hospital's charged amount and what the insurance carrier will pay, violates the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
Washington University said it had just received the lawsuit and could not comment, according to the report. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Steven Powell of St. Louis, an insured patient who was hospitalized in 2008 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The hospital's owner sued Mr. Powell when he would not pay charges not covered by his insurer.
Mr. Powell's attorney said healthcare providers often set prices for services that are higher than the charges agreed upon with insurance companies, resulting in patients having to subsidize the hospital's loss.
Read the St. Louis Today report on balance billing.
Read more on improper billing for medical services:
-7 Hospitals to Pay Over $63M to Resolve Kyphoplasty-Related False Claims Allegations
-5 Recent Settlements and Investigations Involving Hospitals
-Justice Department Accuses Mayo Clinic of Falsely Billing Medicare