Lawsuits Claim Hospitals Charge the Uninsured More 

Health care costs lots of money. People without health insurance know that best. They must use their own money to pay for medical care. Often, the people without insurance are poor and not working, or they are in low paying jobs.

Some say the uninsured pay more than they should.

Four people sued area hospital systems this year. They said hospitals charged them more because they have no insurance. Other states have seen the same kinds of lawsuits.

They also claim that hospitals overbill the uninsured.  The lawsuits say a hospital’s mission is to help the uninsured, and overcharging them is wrong.     

Five hospital systems are named in the suite.

The patients claim “price gouging” (charging too much). They say hospitals charge people with insurance less for the same health care.

Health insurance helps pay for care      

Insurance helps people pay for medical care. Employers often provide it. Other people get it from the government, including the poor and elderly. The rest have to buy insurance policies to pay for family medical care.  These policies are often expensive and only pay for part of the medical care a person or family needs.

Hospitals give insurance companies discounts. A discount is a reduced price. Insurers often pass those discounts on to their members.

For example, someone with insurance might get 30 percent off the cost of heart surgery. Those without insurance might pay full price.

One person who sued said a hospital charged him $104,000 for a foot treatment. He said the hospital charges people who have insurance far less.

Hospital response

Hospital officials say they help uninsured patients. They provide many different discounts, even for the uninsured.

Hospital officials urge people without insurance to ask for help. The poorest people might even get their care for free.

Those needing help should ask for it when they arrive at the hospital.

Hospital leaders say they already provide millions in free care to the poor each year.

This is hardly a sign of over charging the uninsured, Wisconsin Hospital Association President Steve Brenton said.

Hospital leaders also tell people to avoid using the emergency room when possible. Hospital care is very expensive. It is often much cheaper to go to a doctor or a clinic.  Do not use the ER for colds, flu or minor injuries.

Source: The Business Journal of Milwaukee