IL health systems settle suit alleging overcharges to uninsured

Two large Illinois health systems have agreed to settle lawsuits alleging that they overcharged thousands of uninsured patients and failed to provide adequate financial assistance. 

The systems, Resurrection Health Care and Advocate Health Care, will recalculate patients' bills and provide refunds to patients eligible for free or low-cost care. Resurrection has also agreed to offer a 25 percent discount to any uninsured patient, regardless of income. In a separate initiative outside of the suit, the system is also setting annual limits on what the uninsured will be asked to pay per year.

Resurrection has sent notices to 220,000 potentially-eligible patients updating them on the settlement terms and their opportunity to apply for financial relief on outstanding bills. Advocate has notified 170,000 patients of their options.

To learn more about the settlement:
- read this Chicago Tribune piece

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