Sutter Health Settles Suit Alleging Overcharges

Sutter Health, a Sacramento-based hospital chain with 26 facilities, settled a class-action lawsuit that accused the nonprofit company of overcharging uninsured patients.

Under the settlement, uninsured patients who visited Sutter hospitals since Sept. 3, 2000, will be entitled to 25% to 45% refunds on their hospital bills.

The hospital chain, which admitted no wrongdoing, also agreed to offer discounted care based on patients’ income levels.

-- Daniel Yi