The Oregon Department of Justice’s consumer protection division is conducting a civil investigation into Providence Health & Services, the state’s largest hospital system, a spokesperson for the department confirmed to Healthcare Dive. Oregon DOJ spokesperson Kristina Edmunson declined to comment on the scope of the probe, which was first reported by the Oregonian. A Providence spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
The consumer probe follows a New York Times report last month that described aggressive billing practices targeting patients who should have received free or discounted care by the Renton, Washington-based hospital chain. After the report, Providence said it would refund 760 low-income patients who were entitled to free care. Read more.
