The University of Washington Medical Center accommodates about 20,000 patients a year for minor surgical procedures. It took one Heidi Rothmeyer of Seattle to notice that the reputable medical center tacked onto her bill a hospital "facility" fee when in fact the dermatology procedure done on her was performed in a doctor's office, an outpatient clinic.
On August 2006, the medical center has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit. No refunds are involved, instead UW agreed to reduce its charges for minor surgical procedures by 25 percent. Over the next year, the hospital will also set up a system allowing patients to be informed ahead of time about charges.
The bottom line is interesting: No cash, will just do it better.