On Tuesday a case was filed in the Broward County, Florida state court by forty medical and anesthesia practices against United Healthcare Insurance Co. (UHC), United Healthcare of Florida, Neighborhood Health Partnership Inc. and United Health Group. The case is regarding pricing and payment of medical bills.
The plaintiff practices, led by Envision Healthcare, provide a range of services, including emergency medical treatment, surgical anesthesia, and neonatal care. The complaint also notes that one of 10 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the county received treatment from an Envision physician.
The plaintiff notes that the physicians were originally listed as in network facilities with UHC, but after receiving a low payment rate when in network status was being renewed, the plaintiffs moved to out of network status, following a pattern which the plaintiff noted of several lawsuits and settlements regarding the defendants’ history of underpaying out of network billing deliberately. The plaintiff also argued that the practice of forcing in network providers to be out of network allows UHC to drive business to its subsidiary, Optum Health.
Plaintiff is suing for unjust enrichment, quantum meruit, declaratory judgment, tortious interference with existing business relationships, tortious interference with prospective business relationships, and violations of Florida status regarding medical billing. The plaintiff is represented by Gelber Schachter & Greenberg PA, and Morrison & Foerster LLP.
