Baptist Emergency Hospital billing class action settlement

Baptist Emergency Hospital agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it charged for separate lab tests instead of billing patients for a panel of tests.

The settlement benefits individuals treated at any Baptist Neighborhood Hospital (previously Baptist Emergency Hospital) between Sept. 25, 2016, and Jan. 27, 2023, who had basic metabolic or liver function panels and who were billed for these panels. 

According to the surprise billing class action lawsuit, Baptist Emergency Hospital deceptively billed for laboratory panel tests in order to overcharge customers. Instead of charging for panels as a whole, the hospital allegedly billed each part of the panel as a separate item —  resulting in higher costs for patients. 

Baptist Neighborhood Hospital, previously known as Baptist Emergency Hospital, is an emergency care system with locations in Texas. 

The hospital hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to resolve these claims.

Under the terms of the Baptist Emergency Hospital settlement, class members can receive either a refund of previously paid amounts or forgiveness of amounts still owed for the tests. Exact payments will vary depending on the amount paid by class members for unbundled tests.

In addition to providing financial benefits, Baptist Emergency Hospital agreed to change its billing practices to ensure that clinicians can order lab panels under the proper billing codes. The hospital also agreed to provide disclosures in intake forms and on its website for better billing transparency. 

The deadline for exclusion and objection was April 24, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the surprise billing class action lawsuit settlement is scheduled for May 15, 2023.

In order to receive a settlement refund, class members must submit a valid claim form by Sept. 18, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals treated at any Baptist Neighborhood Hospital (previously Baptist Emergency Hospital) between Sept. 25, 2016, and Jan. 27, 2023, who had basic metabolic or liver function panels and who were billed for these panels.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

09/18/2023

Case Name

Keslar, et al. v. Emerus/BHS SA Thousand Oaks LLC d/b/a Baptist Emergency Hospital – Shavano Park, et al., Case No. 2020-CI-18623, in the 73rd Judicial District Court for Bexar County, Texas

Final Hearing

05/15/2023

Settlement Website

BaptistEmergencyHospitalSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Baptist Emergency Hospital Settlement
RG/2 Claims Administration LLC
P.O. Box 59479
Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479
BaptistEmergencyHospitalSettlement@rg2claims.com
866-742-4955

Class Counsel

Philip H Hilder
Q Tate Williams
HILDER & ASSOCIATES

Chet Waldman
Radha Raghavan
WOLF POPPER LLP

Defense Counsel

Kevin M McGinty
MINTZ LEVIN COHN FERRIS GLOVSKY & POPEO PC