Accretive Settles Consumer Fraud Lawsuit

Accretive Health Inc. settled a consumer fraud lawsuit that accused the company of engaging in abusive debt collection tactics towards hospital patients.

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson announced the settlement, which will stop the company from doing business in the state for six years, according to the Associated Press (AP). The settlement also requires Accretive to pay $2.5 million to set up a restitution fund for patients and to return patient information to its client hospitals in the state.

Swanson filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against the company in January, claiming it violated health privacy, consumer protection, and debt collection laws. Her complaint included various stories from patients who said they were pressured to pay while incapacitated by pain and waiting for medical care, according to the AP.

The Attorney General’s probe was initiated by the theft of an unencrypted laptop left in an Accretive employee’s car that contained information about 24,000 patients.

If you or a loved one has been harassed by an abusive debt collector, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action. For legal help, call (800) 581-6358.

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