Accretive agrees to $2.5M fine; company to withdraw from MN

Fairview Health Service's former bill collector, Accretive Health, has agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine and leave the state as part of a settlement of a federal lawsuit brought by Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson. A federal judge approved the settlement late Monday. The settlement requires Accretive to do several things: Create a patient restitution fund of nearly $2.5 million, with any funds remaining going to the state treasury. Hand over all data about Minnesota patients to the Twin Cities that contracted with Accretive. Wind down operations in Minnesota by November and stay away for six years unless the attorney general approves.