Complain about a product or service

HCA Sued for Gouging Uninsured Patients

August 10, 2004

• More about Hospitals ...

Health care giant HCA faces a class-action lawsuit over what it charges patients who have no health insurance.

The plaintiffs in the suit claim the rates they were charged not only exceeded the industry norm, but in all cases were higher than those charged to insured patients.

The suit, filed in Clark County, Nevada, charges Mountainview Hospital, an HCA property, also initiated harassing and predatory collection efforts against the uninsured patients.

"Charging a small and disenfranchised element of our society outrageous prices that result in economic and emotional ruin is not the answer to solving our national health care funding conundrum," attorney Archie Lamb said.

The plaintiffs are asking for restitution and attorneys' fees and they want HCA's profits from the alleged overcharging to go into a trust for the benefit of the plaintiff and other class-action members.

Billing issues are becoming more common in the health care industry, but hospitals generally defend their practice of providing discounts to insured patients, because of negotiated agreements with insurance companies. Uninsured patients charge that the practice is discriminatory. At least one hospital group has settled the action against it, agreeing to forgive $150 million in debt.

With health care promising to be a major issue in an election year, Congress has even begun looking into the issue of higher rates for the uninsured.

Back to the top |

Home | Complaint Form | News | Recalls | FAQ |
Consumer Resources | Small Claims Guide | Lemon Law | Newsletter | Contact Us
Advertise With Us | Testimonials | Newsroom | RSS Feeds |

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2008 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.