United Healthcare Services, Inc. v. Hospital Physician Services Southeast, P.C. et al.

Why this Matters 

Plaintiff, a major health insurer, argues that certain state claims by private-equity backed health care staffing companies seeking payment of full billed charges are preempted by Employee Retirement Income Security Act. These disputed out-of-network charges can place a substantial strain on patients – such charges are alleged to be up to 1,500 percent of the amount that providers participating in Medicare accept for the same services.

Potential Impact 

The lack of guardrails related to certain charges for out-of-network health care services in the commercial market can drive up health care costs and increase health care premiums.