States probe debt-collection agency for Ford, Beaumont, St. John Providence hospitals

Accretive Health debt collection company, with contracts with Ford; Beaumont Hospitals, Royal Oak, and St. John Providence Health of Warren hospital systems, is the focus of mounting state investigations. Accretive Health was sued this week by Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson. The lawsuit charges that the company violated state and federal health privacy and state debt-collection and consumer protection laws. Minnesota is in discussion with state and federal regulators about coordinating investigations. The company's contracts with two Minnesota hospitals allow it to direct hospital employees by infusing Accretive employees into hospital staff ranks, the Minnesota lawsuit charged.