Kaiser sues Hawaii hospital system for billing practices

HONOLULU (AP) — Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit against a Hawaii hospital system over a change in billing practices.

News organizations reported Thursday that the lawsuit filed Wednesday was the result of The Queen’s Health Systems plan to directly bill Kaiser for members’ emergency medical services beginning May 31.

Kaiser has been unable since 2017 to reach an agreement to renew an emergency services contract with the nonprofit health care organization that expired May 30.

Queen’s chief financial officer says in a June 3 letter that Kaiser members would be responsible for claims not reimbursed 100% by the health plan.

The California-based health maintenance organization calls the change “unfair billing practices” that its members are “not legally obligated to pay.”