Sutter Health Anesthesia Billing Settlement: $11M

Self-funded payers that (1) were California citizens as of Jan. 6, 2015, or (2) were state/local California government entities, and (3) paid Sutter Health for any anesthesia services (excluding conscious sedation) performed in acute care hospital operating rooms between Jan. 1, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2013.

Claim Form 5500 or 5500-SF issued by the healthcare provider is required to support the claim.

Sutter Health has agreed to pay $11 million to resolve allegations that it billed for anesthesia services that were either not provided, billed more than once, or inaccurately described. According to the class action lawsuit, these billing practices led to overpayments by self-funded payers across California.

While denying wrongdoing, Sutter Health chose to settle to put the matter to rest.

This billing case follows other legal scrutiny for the health system, including a $575 million antitrust settlement in 2021 and further claims in 2022 involving unfair practices in Northern California.

What You Can Claim

Eligible class members can receive a cash payout based on the number of active plan participants listed on their claim form from the 2003–2013 timeframe.

These payments are distributed from the $11 million fund and will vary depending on the number of qualifying participants listed across all valid claims.