Cansler v. University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, Inc. et al.

Why this Matters
The plaintiff, a patient with private insurance, argues that deceptive billing and debt collection practices by nonprofit hospitals violate federal and state consumer protections laws. Undisclosed and unreasonably high prices charged by providers for patients with private health insurance—sometimes ten times higher than the Medicare rate—creates tremendous challenges for patients to make timely and informed health care decisions. And the threat of aggressive debt collection practices can leave patients with no choice but to pay exorbitant prices for health care services.

Potential Impact
Unreasonably high health care prices create substantial stress when patients are trying to make informed health care decisions, often leaving them exposed to outstanding bills and debt collection practices.