St. Louis health system settles lawsuit for uninsured patients

BJC Healthcare, the area's largest healthcare system, will provide a 25% discount to all hospital patients without insurance under a new class-action settlement agreement. Some uninsured patients treated in the past also may be eligible for refunds or discounts. Under the settlement, uninsured patients who were treated at a BJC hospital since Jan. 1, 1999, and paid some or all of the cost, may be eligible for a partial refund or reduction in their bill. Class members will be notified of their right to submit a claim for the refund. The discounts will also apply to uninsured patients receiving treatment until at least 2012.