Opening arguments begin Thursday in the antitrust case against Sutter Health, which operates 24 hospitals with 5,500 doctors across Northern California. The lawsuit points to research showing that health care costs in Northern California are higher than elsewhere in the state, including a 2018 study that found unadjusted inpatient procedure prices are 70% higher in Northern California than Southern California. She said the largest health insurance companies support the lawsuit. “Insurance companies want to maximize profits by pushing insurance plans that limit their choices and result in surprise billing,” Thoma Tan said. Becerra says Sutter Health bans insurance companies from using these incentives, making it harder for patients to use their lower-priced competitors.

Source: thestar October 10, 2019 04:18 UTC