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CHS Tops List of Price-Gouging Hospitals in the Nation

A study found that six of the nine most expensive hospitals in the U.S. all setting their prices at 10 time their cost, are operated by CHS. With growing national attention to hospital pricing practices. The institute for Health & Socio-Economic Policy (IHSP) and National Nurses United shows that hospital charges continue to sky-rocket with many charging more than 10 times their coast - nearly $1200 for every $100 of their total cost. The study was based on data submitted by more than 4,300 hospitals to the federal governme

A study found that six of the nine most expensive hospitals in the U.S. all setting their prices at 10 time their cost, are operated by CHS. With growing national attention to hospital pricing practices. The institute for Health & Socio-Economic Policy (IHSP) and National Nurses United shows that hospital charges continue to sky-rocket with many charging more than 10 times their coast - nearly $1200 for every $100 of their total cost. The study was based on data submitted by more than 4,300 hospitals to the federal government. 

“The deliberate practice of setting these disgracefully high charges, especially in communities where patients and families have nowhere else to go for hospital care, CHS is exposing countless numbers of people to financial ruin – or discouraging them from seeking care when they need it due to the cost.” -Jean Ross, RN, co-president of NNU.

CHS accounts for 40 percent of the 100 top charging hospitals:

Nearly 85 percent of CHS hospitals charge above the national average of 331 percent.

Despite enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which is intended to bring healthcare costs down, hospital charges recorded their single biggest jump: a 22-percentile-point increase from fiscal year 2010-2011 to fiscal year 2011-2012 in the past 16 years, according to the study.

SOURCE: Institute for Health & Socio-Economic Policy (IHSP)

Hospital chage to cost ratios chart 1996-2012 - CHART

Stealing from Medicare

CHS is also the subject of a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into allegations of Medicare fraud:

  • 2005: Whistle-blower Robert Baker files lawsuit against CHS alleging improper donations to the state, leading to inappropriate federal Medicare funds.
  • 2009: The DOJ joins lawsuit against CHS alleging $47.6 million Medicare fraud in New Mexico.
  • 2009: Former employee at CHS-affiliated Lutheran Hospital in Indiana files lawsuit alleging millions in Medicare fraud.
  • 2011: The DOJ consolidates multiple probes of illegal practices by CHS into one federal investigation. CHS is alleged to have admitted patients who did not meet the Medicare standards of admission.
  • 2013: The DOJ subpoenas two high-ranking CHS officials as part of its ongoing investigation. Learn more >>