Lawsuit targets Ind.'s largest hospital group

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A lawsuit that accuses Indiana's largest hospital group of charging uninsured patients more for treatment than insured patients is being watched closely by the state's hospital boards and trial attorneys.

The case is set for argument May 10 before the Indiana Supreme Court. The Indianapolis Star reports it involves a lawsuit by two uninsured patients who claim IU Health overbilled them by charging much more than insured patients would pay for the same treatment.

Although their breach-of-contract claims in the case amount to just a few thousand dollars, the legal stakes are high.

Indianapolis trial lawyer Scott Weathers says a favorable ruling could allow patients to sue over billings as far back as 10 years and open the door to overbilling claims against other hospitals.